Are the securities principal protected?
No, the securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. If the Final Basket Value is
less than the Threshold Value, you will have full downside exposure to the decrease in the value of the Basket, and will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Value. Accordingly,
if the Final Fund Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose more than 20%, and may lose up to 100%, of your principal.
What will I receive upon maturity of the securities?
At maturity, for each security you own, you will receive a cash payment equal to the maturity payment amount. The maturity payment amount to which you will be entitled depends on the percentage change in the value of the Basket
calculated based on the Final Basket Value (as defined below) relative to the Initial Basket Value (as defined below), and whether or not the Final Basket Value is below the Threshold Value (as defined below).
The maturity
payment amount for each security will be determined by the calculation agent as described below:
|
· |
If the Final Basket Value is greater than the Initial
Basket Value, the maturity payment amount per security will equal the lesser of:
|
(a) |
$1,000 + ($1,000 x
|
Final Basket
Value – Initial Basket Value
|
x Participation Rate); and
|
Initial Basket
Value
|
(b) the maximum maturity payment amount
The Participation Rate will be 125%. The maximum maturity payment amount will be [$1,480- $1,530] per
security, to be determined on the pricing date.
|
· |
If the Final Basket Value is equal to or less than the Initial Basket Value but greater
than or equal to the Threshold Value, the maturity payment amount per security will equal $1,000.
|
|
· |
If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value,
the maturity payment amount per security will equal:
|
$1,000 -
|
(
|
$1,000 x
|
Initial Basket Value – Final Basket Value
Initial Basket Value
|
)
|
If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, the
amount you will receive at maturity will be less than the principal amount of the securities, and you will lose more than 20%, and may lose up to 100%, of your principal. If the Final Basket Value is zero, the maturity payment amount will be
$0.00 per security, and you will lose 100% of your principal.
The Initial
Basket Value is 100.
The Final
Basket Value will be calculated based on the weighted returns of the basket components and will be equal to the product of (i) 100 and (ii) an amount equal to 1 plus the sum of: (A) 50.00% of the component return of the SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust; and (B) 50.00% of the component return of the iShares® MSCI China ETF.
The component return of each basket component will be equal to:
Final Component Price – Initial Component Price
Initial Component Price
where,
The Initial Component Price
of each basket component will be equal to its fund closing price on the pricing date and disclosed in the final pricing supplement for the securities.
The Final
Component Price of each basket component will be determined by the calculation agent and will be its fund closing price on the valuation date, determined as described in the section “Specific Terms of the Securities.”
The Threshold
Value is 80, which is 80% of the Initial Basket Value.
The valuation
date is April 25, 2022, subject to postponement as set forth below.
See “Specific Terms of the Securities—Fund Closing Price,” “—Closing Price” and “—Adjustment Factor”
for information on the determination of each fund closing price on any trading day.
You should understand that the opportunity to benefit from the possible increase in the value of the Basket through an
investment in the securities is limited because the amount that you receive at maturity will never exceed the maximum maturity payment amount. The maximum maturity payment amount represents a maximum appreciation on the securities of [48.00% -
53.00%] over the principal amount of the securities. If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Basket Value is less than the Initial Basket Value. Accordingly,
if the value of the Basket decreases below the Threshold Value, you will lose more than 20%, and may lose up to 100%, of your principal.
Hypothetical Examples
Set forth below are four hypothetical examples of the calculation of the maturity payment amount
based on the following hypothetical values (the numbers appearing in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis):
Initial Basket value: 100.00
Threshold Value: 80.00
Hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount: $1,505.00 (the mid-point of the range of maximum
maturity payment amounts set forth in this pricing supplement)
Example 1—The
hypothetical Final Basket Value is 70% of the Initial Basket Value, which is below the Threshold Value:
Hypothetical Final Basket Value: 70.00
Maturity payment amount =
(per security)
|
$1,000.00 - $1,000.00 X
|
(
|
100.00 – 70.00
|
)
|
= $700.00
|
100.00
|
Since the hypothetical Final Basket Value is less than the Initial Basket Value and below the Threshold Value, the amount you will receive at maturity will be equal to the issue price of $1,000 per security minus $1,000 times the difference
between the Initial Basket Value and the hypothetical Final Basket Value, divided by the Initial Basket Value, and you would lose some of your principal. Since the hypothetical Final Basket Value declined by 30% from the Initial Basket Value to
the hypothetical Final Basket Value, the maturity payment amount per security would be $700.00 per security, representing a 30% loss of the principal amount of your securities.
Example 2—The hypothetical Final Basket Value
is 95% of the Initial Basket Value, which is below the Initial Basket Value, but above the Threshold Value:
Hypothetical Final Basket Value: 95.00
Since the hypothetical Final Basket Value is less than the Initial Basket Value but greater than the Threshold Value, the maturity payment amount per security will equal the principal amount of $1,000.00.
Example 3—The
hypothetical Final Basket Value is 110% of the Initial Basket Value:
Hypothetical Final Basket Value: 110.00
Maturity payment amount (per security) = |
$1,000.00 + ($1,000.00x
|
110.00 – 100.00
|
x125%)
|
100.00
|
|
= $1,000.00 + $125.00
|
= $1,125.00
|
Since the hypothetical Final Basket Value is greater than the Initial Basket Value, you would receive the principal amount of $1,000 plus 125% times the amount of the percentage change in the value of the Basket times $1,000, subject to the hypothetical
maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00 (the mid-point of the range of maximum maturity payment amounts set forth in this pricing supplement). As the calculation of the maturity payment amount without taking into account the hypothetical
maximum maturity payment amount would generate a result of $1,125.00 per security, your maturity payment amount would not be subject to the hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00 per security. Your total cash payment at
maturity would be $1,125.00 per security, representing a 12.50% total return.
Example 4—The
hypothetical Final Basket Value is 150% of the Initial Basket Value:
Hypothetical Final Basket Value: 150.00
Maturity payment amount (per security) = $1,000.00 + ($1,000.00 x
|
|
150.00 – 100.00
|
|
x125%)
|
100.00
|
=
|
$1,000.00 +
|
$625.00
|
= $1,625.00
|
> $1,505.00
|
Since the hypothetical Final Basket Value is greater than the Initial Basket Value, you would receive the principal amount of $1,000 plus 125% times the amount of the percentage change in the value of the Basket times $1,000, subject to the hypothetical
maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00 (the mid-point of the range of maximum maturity payment amounts set forth in this pricing supplement). Although the calculation of the maturity payment amount without taking into account the
hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount would generate a result of $1,625.00 per security, your maturity payment amount would be limited to $1,505.00 per security, representing a 50.50% total return, because the payment on the securities
at maturity may not exceed the hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount.
Hypothetical Returns
The following table assumes a hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00, the
mid-point of the maximum maturity payment amount range set forth in this pricing supplement, the Initial Basket Value of 100.00, and a range of hypothetical Final Basket Values and illustrates:
|
· |
the hypothetical percentage change from the Initial Basket Value to the hypothetical Final Basket Value;
|
|
· |
the hypothetical maturity payment amount per security; and
|
|
· |
the hypothetical pre-tax total rate of return to beneficial owners of the securities.
|
The figures below are rounded for ease of analysis and are for purposes of illustration only. The
actual maturity payment amount will depend on the actual maximum maturity payment amount and the Final Basket Value, as determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
Hypothetical
Final Basket Value
|
|
Hypothetical Percentage
Change from the Initial Basket
Value to the Hypothetical
Final Basket Value
|
|
Hypothetical Maturity
Payment Amount per
Security(1)
|
|
Hypothetical Pre-
Tax Total Rate of
Return on the
Securities
|
0.00
|
|
|
-100.00%
|
|
$0.00
|
|
-100.00%
|
10.00
|
|
|
-90.00%
|
|
$100.00
|
|
-90.00%
|
25.00
|
|
|
-75.00%
|
|
$250.00
|
|
-75.00%
|
50.00
|
|
|
-50.00%
|
|
$500.00
|
|
-50.00%
|
55.00
|
|
|
-45.00%
|
|
$550.00
|
|
-45.00%
|
60.00
|
|
|
-40.00%
|
|
$600.00
|
|
-40.00%
|
65.00
|
|
|
-35.00%
|
|
$650.00
|
|
-35.00%
|
70.00
|
|
|
-30.00%
|
|
$700.00
|
|
-30.00%
|
75.00
|
|
|
-25.00%
|
|
$750.00
|
|
-25.00%
|
80.00
|
(2)
|
|
-20.00%
|
|
$1,000.00
|
|
0.00%
|
90.00
|
|
|
-10.00%
|
|
$1,000.00
|
|
0.00%
|
95.00
|
|
|
-5.00%
|
|
$1,000.00
|
|
0.00%
|
100.00
|
(3)
|
|
0.00%
|
|
$1,000.00
|
|
0.00%
|
105.00
|
|
|
5.00%
|
|
$1,062.50
|
|
6.25%
|
110.00
|
|
|
10.00%
|
|
$1,125.00
|
|
12.50%
|
120.00
|
|
|
20.00%
|
|
$1,250.00
|
|
25.00%
|
130.00
|
|
|
30.00%
|
|
$1,375.00
|
|
37.50%
|
140.00
|
|
|
40.00%
|
|
$1,500.00
|
|
50.00%
|
140.40
|
|
|
40.40%
|
|
$1,505.00
|
|
50.50%
|
145.00
|
|
|
45.00%
|
|
$1,505.00
|
|
50.50%
|
150.00
|
|
|
50.00%
|
|
$1,505.00
|
|
50.50%
|
(1) |
Based on a hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00 (the mid-point of the range of maximum maturity payment amounts set forth in this pricing
supplement).
|
(2) |
This is the Threshold Value.
|
(3) |
This is the Initial Basket Value.
|
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of hypothetical percentage changes
of the value of the Basket, based on a hypothetical maximum maturity payment amount of $1,505.00 per $1,000.00 security (50.50% over the principal amount) and the Initial Basket Value of 100.
Return Profile of Market Linked Securities - Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap
and Contingent Downside Principal at Risk Securities vs. the Basket
Who should or should not consider an investment in the securities?
We have designed the securities for investors who seek exposure to the Basket, who believe that the
Basket value will increase over the term of the securities, and who want to participate in 125% times the possible appreciation of the Basket (measured by the percentage change in the value of the Basket based on the Final Basket Value relative
to the Initial Basket Value), subject to the maximum maturity payment amount of [48.00%-53.00%] over the principal amount of the securities; who understand that, if the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, they will lose money
on their investment; and who are willing to hold their securities until maturity. Investors in the securities should be willing to risk up to 100% of their investment.
The securities are not designed for, and may not be a suitable investment for, investors who are
unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity, who seek principal protection for their investment, who are unwilling to make an investment exposed to downside performance risk of the Basket or who are unwilling to purchase securities with an initial estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the initial public offering price and that may be as low as the low end of the
estimated value range set forth on the cover page. The securities may not be a suitable investment for investors who prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit
ratings.
What will I receive if I sell the securities prior to maturity?
The market value of the securities may fluctuate during the term of the securities. Several factors
and their interrelationship will influence the market value of the securities, including the price of each basket component, dividend
yields of the component common stocks held by each basket component, the time remaining to maturity of the securities,
interest rates, applicable currency exchange rates and the volatility of each basket component. Depending on the impact of these factors, you may receive less than $1,000 per security from any sale of your securities before the maturity date of
the securities and less than what you would have received had you held the securities until maturity. Assuming no change in market conditions or other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your securities prior
to maturity will be less than the initial public offering price and, subject to the discussion regarding secondary market prices during the three months following the original issue date in “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” below, will be
less than the initial estimated value of the securities that will be set forth in the final pricing supplement. For more details, see “Risk Factors —Many factors affect the market value of the securities” and “—The price, if any, at which you
may be able to sell your securities prior to maturity may be less than the initial public offering price and our initial estimated value” below.
How have the Basket and the basket components performed historically?
You can find a graph setting forth the closing prices of each basket component from January 1, 2014 to
a recent date, in the section entitled “Historical Closing Prices of the Basket Components” in this pricing supplement. We obtained the historical information from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. You should not
take the past performance of any basket component as an indication of how the basket components will perform in the future.
In addition, you can find a graph setting forth the hypothetical daily values of the Basket for the
period from January 1, 2014 to a recent date in the section entitled “The Basket.” We have provided this hypothetical historical information to help you evaluate how the Basket would have performed in the recent past, however the hypothetical
past performance of the Basket is not indicative of how the Basket will perform in the future.
What are the United States federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities?
The terms of the securities require a holder and us (in the absence of a change in law or an
administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for all tax purposes as pre-paid cash-settled derivative contracts in respect of the Basket. If the securities are so treated, subject to the potential application of
the “constructive ownership” rules under Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), a U.S. holder should
generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a holder receives at such time and the holder’s tax basis in the securities.
Please read carefully the section entitled “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences” in this pricing supplement, the section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax
advisor about your own tax situation.
What are the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities?
For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities, please
read carefully the section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax
situation.
Will the securities be listed on a stock exchange?
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. There can be no assurance that a liquid
trading market will develop for the securities. Accordingly, if you sell your securities prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a substantial loss. You should review the section entitled “Risk Factors — There may not be an active
trading market for the securities” in this pricing supplement.
Are there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes, an investment in the securities is subject to significant risks, including the risk of loss of up to 100% of your
principal. We urge you to read the detailed explanation of risks in “Risk Factors” below and beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated September 7, 2018, as supplemented
by the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H, of which these securities are a part. This pricing supplement, together with these documents, contains the terms of the securities and
supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or
other educational materials of ours.
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement, the
prospectus and the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility
for any other information that others may give you. We, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and any other dealers are offering to sell the securities and seeking offers to buy the securities only in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The
information contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus is current only as of their respective dates.
If the information in this pricing supplement differs from the information contained in the prospectus
supplement or the prospectus, you should rely on the information in this pricing supplement.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in this pricing
supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the
securities.
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 7, 2018:
|
|
· |
Prospectus Supplement dated September 7, 2018:
|
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275.
Please see the section “Documents Incorporated by Reference” on page i of the above
prospectus for a description of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein.
The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which
this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these
documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling your financial advisor or by
calling Royal Bank of Canada at 1-877-688-2301.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the securities is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks described under
“Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. The securities have complex features and are a riskier investment than ordinary debt securities. Also, your securities are not equivalent to investing directly in the basket
components or the common stocks held by the basket components. Investors in the securities are also exposed to further risks related to the Issuer of the securities, Royal Bank of Canada, which are described in Royal Bank of Canada’s most recent
annual report on Form 40-F, filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. See the categories of risks identified and disclosed in the management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the
annual report on Form 40-F. This section (and the management’s discussion and analysis section of the annual report on Form 40-F) describes the most significant risks relating to the securities. You should carefully consider whether the securities
are suited to your particular circumstances.
Your investment may result in a loss of up to 100% of your principal
We will not repay you a fixed amount of principal on the securities at maturity. The payment at maturity on the
securities will depend on the percentage change in the value of the Basket based on the Final Basket Value relative to the Initial Basket Value, and whether or not the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value. Because the value of the
Basket is subject to market fluctuations, the amount of cash you receive at maturity may be more or less than the principal amount of the securities. If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose 1% of the principal
amount for each 1% that the Final Basket Value is less than the Initial Basket Value. For example, if the Basket has declined by 20.1% from the Initial Basket Value to the Final Basket Value, you will not receive any benefit of the contingent
downside feature, and you will lose 20.1% of your principal amount. Accordingly, if the value of the Basket decreases below the Threshold Value, you will lose more than 20%, and may lose up to 100%, of your principal.
You will not receive interest payments on the securities
You will not receive any periodic interest payments on the securities or any interest payment at maturity. Your
payment at maturity will depend on the percentage change in the value of the Basket based on the Final Basket Value relative to the Initial Basket Value, and whether or not the Final Basket Value is below the Threshold Value.
Your yield may be lower than the yield on a standard debt security of comparable maturity
The yield that you will receive on your securities, which could be negative, may be less than the return you
could earn on other investments. Even if your yield is positive, your yield may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a standard senior non-callable debt security of Royal Bank of Canada with the same maturity date. Your investment
may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money. Unlike conventional senior non-callable debt securities, the securities do not guarantee the return of all of the principal
amount at maturity. In addition, no interest will be paid during the term of your securities.
Your return is limited and will not reflect the return of owning the shares of the basket components or the
common stocks held by the basket components
You should understand that the opportunity to participate in the possible appreciation in the prices of the
basket components through an investment in the securities is limited because the amount that you receive at maturity will never exceed the maximum maturity payment amount. The maximum maturity payment amount represents a maximum appreciation on the
securities of [48.00%-53.00%] over the principal amount of the securities. Although any positive return on the securities is based on 125% times any percentage increase of the Basket, in no event will the amount you receive at maturity be greater
than the maximum maturity payment amount of [$1,480.00 - $1,530.00] per security. The maximum maturity payment amount will be determined on the pricing date and disclosed in the final pricing supplement for the securities.
Owning the securities is not the same as owning the shares of the basket components or the common stocks held by
the basket components
The return on your securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned and held the
shares of the basket components or the common stocks held by the basket components for a similar period. First, because the maturity payment amount will be determined based on the prices of the basket components, the return on the securities will
not take
into account the value of any dividends that may be paid on the basket components or the common stocks held by the basket
components. Second, as a holder of the securities, you will not be entitled to receive those dividends, nor will you have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the shares of the basket components or the common stocks held by the basket
components may have. Even if the value of the Basket increases above the Initial Basket Value during the term of the securities, the market value of the securities may not increase by the same amount. It is also possible for the value of the Basket
to increase while the market value of the securities declines.
There may not be an active trading market for the securities
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading
market will develop for the securities. Even if a secondary market for the securities develops, it may not provide significant liquidity and transaction costs in any secondary market could be high. As a result, the difference between bid and asked
prices for the securities in any secondary market could be substantial. If you sell your securities before maturity, you may have to do so at a discount from the initial public offering price, and, as a result, you may suffer substantial losses.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its broker-dealer affiliates may make a market for the securities, although they
are not required to do so. As market makers, trading of the securities may cause Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or its broker-dealer affiliates to have long or short positions in the securities. Because we do not expect that any other market makers
will participate in a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to sell your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or its broker-dealer affiliates may be willing to
buy your securities. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution.”
Changes in the prices of the basket components may offset each other
Movements in the prices of the basket components may not correlate with each other. At a time when the price of
one basket component increases, the prices of the other basket component may not increase as much or may even decline. Therefore, in calculating the value of the Basket, increases in the prices of one basket component may be moderated, or be more
than offset, by lesser increases or decreases in the prices of the other basket component.
The amount to be paid at maturity is not linked to the prices of the basket components at any time other than
the valuation date
The payment at maturity will be based on the prices of the basket components only on the valuation date.
Therefore, for example, if the fund closing prices of the basket components decreased precipitously on the valuation date, the payment on the securities may be significantly less than it would otherwise have been had the payment been linked to the
fund closing prices of the basket components prior to that decrease. Although the actual value of the Basket on the maturity date or at other times during the term of the securities may be higher than the Final Basket Value on the valuation date,
you will not benefit from the fund closing prices of the basket components at any time other than the valuation date.
Many factors affect the market value of the securities
The market value of the securities prior to maturity will be affected by factors that interrelate in complex
ways. It is important for you to understand that the effect of one factor may offset any increase in the market value of the securities caused by another factor and that the effect of one factor may compound any decrease in the market value of the
securities caused by another factor. For example, a change in the volatility of one or both of the basket components may offset some or all of any increase in the market value of the securities attributable to another factor, such as an increase in
the price of one or both basket components. In addition, a change in interest rates may offset other factors that would otherwise change the value of the Basket, and therefore, may change the market value of the securities. We expect that the
market value of the securities will depend to a significant extent on the amount, if any, by which the Basket value during the term of the securities exceeds or does not exceed the Initial Basket Value. If you choose to sell your securities when
the value of the Basket exceeds the Initial Basket Value, you may receive substantially less than the amount that would be payable at maturity based on this price because of the expectation that the Basket value will continue to fluctuate until the
Final Basket Value is determined. We believe that other factors that may also influence the value of the securities include:
|
· |
the volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in the price) of each basket component and, in particular, market expectations regarding the volatility of the
basket components;
|
|
· |
market interest rates in the U.S. and in the relevant markets outside of the U.S.;
|
|
· |
the dividend yields of the common stocks held by the basket components;
|
|
· |
our creditworthiness, as perceived in the market;
|
|
· |
changes that affect the basket components, such as additions, deletions or substitutions;
|
|
· |
the time remaining to maturity;
|
|
· |
currency exchange rates (since the MCHI includes securities that are not quoted in U.S. dollars); and
|
|
· |
geopolitical, economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events as well as other conditions may affect the common stocks held by the basket
components, or the market price of shares of the basket components themselves.
|
The correlation between the performance of a basket component and the securities exchange performance of its
Underlying Index may be imperfect
Each basket component uses a representative sampling strategy or an indexing strategy to track the performance
of its Underlying Index. This may give rise to tracking error, i.e., the discrepancy between the performance of the basket component and the performance of its Underlying Index. In addition, because the shares of the basket components are traded on
a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of a basket component may differ from its net asset value per share. Because of the potential discrepancies identified above, the returns on a
basket component may not correlate perfectly with the returns on its Underlying Index over the same period. For more information, see “The Basket Components” below.
An investment in
the securities is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets
The iShares® MSCI China ETF holds equity securities traded in non-U.S. securities markets. Investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets may have less liquidity
and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities
markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are
subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting
companies.
Prices of securities in foreign countries are subject to political, economic, financial and
social factors that apply in those countries. These factors, which could negatively affect those securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies, the possible imposition
of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of
outbreaks of hostility and political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments in the region. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important
respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
Countries with emerging markets, such as China, may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks
of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may
be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions (due to economic dependence upon commodity prices and international trade), and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens, currency
devaluations or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at
times.
A foreign stock exchange may impose trading limitations intended to prevent extreme fluctuations in individual
security prices and may suspend trading in certain circumstances. These actions could limit variations in the closing price of the securities held by the iShares® MSCI China ETF, which could, in turn, adversely affect the value of the
securities.
An investment in
the securities is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk
The share price of
the iShares® MSCI China ETF 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 this basket component are traded. Accordingly, investors in the securities will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the
stocks held by this basket component 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 this basket component will be adversely affected and the price of this basket component, and consequently, the market value of the securities may decrease.
Time zone differences between the cities where the securities comprising the Underlying Index for the MCHI and
the applicable basket component trade may create discrepancies in trading levels
As a result of the time zone difference between the cities where the securities comprising the Underlying Index
for the iShares® MSCI China ETF trade and where the shares of this basket component trades, there may be discrepancies between the values of that Underlying Index and this basket component. In addition, there may be periods when the
foreign securities markets are closed for trading (for example, during holidays in a country other than the United States) that may result in the levels of this Underlying Index remaining unchanged for multiple trading days in the city where the
shares of this basket component trade. Conversely, there may be periods in which the applicable foreign securities markets are open, but the securities market on which this basket component trades is closed.
The securities will be debt obligations of Royal Bank of Canada. No other company or entity will be responsible
for payments under the securities
The securities will be issued by Royal Bank of Canada. The securities will not be guaranteed by any other
company or entity. No other entity or company will be responsible for payments under the securities or liable to holders of the securities in the event Royal Bank of Canada defaults under the securities. Royal Bank of Canada’s credit ratings are
an assessment of our ability to pay our obligations, including those on the securities. Consequently, if we default on our obligations, you could lose your entire investment, and actual or anticipated declines in our creditworthiness may affect the
value of the securities. The securities will not be issued by or guaranteed by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates.
The policies of the investment advisers
of the basket components and changes that affect the Underlying Indices could affect the amount payable on the securities and their market value
The policies of each basket component’s investment adviser concerning the management of the basket component,
additions, deletions or substitutions of the securities held by the basket component, and the manner in which changes affecting the applicable Underlying Index are reflected in the basket component could affect the market price of shares of the
basket component and, therefore, the amount payable on the securities on the maturity date and the market value of the securities before that date. The amount payable on the securities and their market value could also be affected if any basket
component’s investment adviser changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it manages the basket component, or if the investment adviser discontinues or suspends maintenance of the basket component, in which case it may
become difficult to determine the market value of the securities.
We have no affiliation with the Index Sponsors and will not be responsible for any actions taken by the Index
Sponsor
We have no affiliation with the sponsors of the Underlying Indices (the Index Sponsors) will not be involved in the offering of the securities. Consequently, we have no control of the actions of the Index Sponsors, including any actions of the type that
would affect the composition of any Underlying Index, and therefore, the price of the applicable basket component. The Index Sponsors have no obligation of any sort with respect to the securities. 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 securities.
Historical prices of the basket components should not be taken as an indication of their future prices during
the term of the securities
The trading prices of the common stocks held by a basket component will determine the price of that basket
component at any given time. As a result, it is impossible to predict whether the price of any basket component will rise or
fall. Trading prices of the common stocks held by the basket components will be influenced by complex and interrelated political,
economic, financial and other factors that can affect the issuers of those stocks held by the basket components.
Hedging transactions may affect the return on the securities
As described below under “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” below, we, through one or more hedging counterparties, may hedge our obligations under the securities by purchasing shares of the basket components, the securities held by the basket components,
futures or options on the basket components or the securities held by the basket components, or exchange-traded funds or other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the trading prices of the securities held by the
basket components or the prices of the basket components, and may adjust these hedges by, among other things, purchasing or selling any of these assets at any time. Although they are not expected to, any of these hedging activities may adversely
affect the trading prices of the securities held by the basket components and/or the prices of the basket components and, therefore, the market value of the securities. It is possible that we or one or more of our hedging counterparties could
receive substantial returns from these hedging activities while the market value of the securities declines.
Our initial estimated value of the securities will be less than the initial public offering price
Our initial estimated value of the securities will be less than the initial public offering price of the
securities. This is due to, among other things, the fact that the initial public offering price of the securities reflects the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind (an internal funding rate that is lower than the rate at which we
borrow funds by issuing conventional fixed rate debt), and the inclusion in the initial public offering price of the underwriting discount and commission and hedging and other costs associated with the securities.
The price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your securities prior to maturity may be less than the
initial public offering price and our initial estimated value
Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be
able to sell your securities prior to maturity will be less than the initial public offering price and, subject to the discussion in the next paragraph, will be less than our initial estimated value. This is because any such sale price would not
be expected to include the underwriting discount and commission or hedging or other costs associated with the securities, including the estimated profit our hedging counterparty(ies) expect to realize in consideration for assuming the risks
inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. In addition, any price at which you may sell the securities is likely to reflect customary bid-ask spreads for similar trades, and the cost of unwinding any related hedge transactions. In
addition, the value of the securities determined for any secondary market price is expected to be based in part on the yield that is reflected in the interest rate on our conventional debt securities of similar maturity that are traded in the
secondary market, rather than the internal funding rate that we used to price the securities and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary market price of the securities will be less than if the internal funding rate was
used. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the securities, and, potentially, changes in the value of the Basket, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the securities
in any secondary market and will affect the value of the securities in complex and unpredictable ways. Moreover, we expect that any secondary market price will be based on Wells Fargo Securities, LLC’s valuation of the securities, which may differ
from (and may be lower than) the valuation that we would determine for the securities at that time based on the methodology by which we determine the initial estimated value.
As set forth below in the section “Supplemental Plan of Distribution,” for a limited period of time after the
original issue date, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may purchase the securities at a price that is greater than the price that would otherwise be determined at that time as described in the preceding paragraph. However, over the course of that
period, assuming no changes in any other relevant factors, the price you may receive if you sell your securities is expected to decline.
The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and
willing to hold your securities to maturity.
The initial estimated value of the securities is an estimate only, calculated as of the time the terms of the
securities are set
Our initial estimated value of the securities is based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on
the securities, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the securities. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution—Structuring the Securities” below. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including
our
internal funding rate (which represents a discount from our credit spreads), expectations as to dividends on the securities held by
the Fund, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the securities. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in
connection with determining any secondary market price for the securities, may value the securities or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.
The value of the securities at any time after the pricing date will vary based on many factors, including
changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the securities in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from our initial estimated
value of your securities.
Potential conflicts of interest could arise
We, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and our respective affiliates may engage in trading activities related to the
basket components or the stocks held by the basket components that are not for the account of holders of the securities or on their behalf. These trading activities may present a conflict between the holders’ interest in the securities and the
interests we, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and our respective affiliates will have in the proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including options and other derivatives transactions, for our customers and in accounts under our
management. These trading activities could be adverse to the interests of the holders of the securities.
We, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and our respective affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in
business with one or more of the issuers of the securities held by the basket components. This business may include extending loans to, or making equity investments in, such companies or providing advisory services to such companies, including
merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of business, we, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and our respective affiliates may acquire non-public information relating to these companies and, in addition, one or more of our affiliates or the
affiliates of the agent may publish research reports about these companies. Neither we nor the agent make any representation to any purchasers of the securities regarding any matters whatsoever relating to the issuers of the securities held by the
basket components. Any prospective purchaser of the securities should undertake an independent investigation of these companies as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision regarding an investment in the securities. The offering
of the securities does not reflect any investment or sell recommendations by us, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or our respective affiliates as to any basket component or the securities that the basket component holds.
The calculation agent may postpone the valuation date and, therefore, determination of the Final Basket Value
and the maturity date if a market disruption event occurs on the valuation date
The valuation date with respect to a basket component and, therefore, determination of the Final Basket Value
may be postponed if the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing on the valuation date with respect to that basket component. As a result, the maturity date for the securities would be postponed. You
will not be entitled to compensation from us or the calculation agent for any loss suffered as a result of the occurrence of a market disruption event, any resulting delay in payment or any change in the price of any basket component after the
valuation date. See “Specific Terms of the Securities — Valuation Date” and “— Market Disruption Events” below.
Anti-dilution adjustments relating to the shares of a basket component do not address every
event that could affect such shares
An adjustment factor, as described herein, will be used to determine the price of each basket component on the Valuation Date.
The adjustment factor will be adjusted by the calculation agent for certain events affecting the shares of the applicable basket component. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every event that could affect such shares. If
an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the adjustment factor, the value of the securities may be adversely affected.
There are potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent
The calculation agent will, among other things, determine the amount of your payment at maturity on the securities. Our
wholly-owned subsidiary, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, will serve as the calculation agent. We may change the calculation agent after the original issue date without notice to you. The calculation agent will exercise its judgment when performing its
functions. For example, the calculation agent may have to determine whether a market disruption event affects a basket component. Since this determination by the calculation agent will affect the payment at maturity on the securities, the
calculation agent may have a conflict of interest if it needs to make a determination of this kind. In addition,
the calculation agent will determine the initial estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.
The tax treatment of the securities is uncertain and gain on the securities may be treated as ordinary income under the
constructive ownership rules
The tax treatment of the securities is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service or from the Canada Revenue Agency regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the Internal Revenue Service, the Canada Revenue Agency, or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.
Since each basket component is an exchange traded fund, while the matter is not entirely clear, there exists a
substantial risk that an investment in the securities is a “constructive ownership transaction” to which Section 1260 of the Code applies. If Section 1260 of the Code applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S.
holder in respect of the securities could be recharacterized as ordinary income, in which case certain interest charges would apply. See the section entitled “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences – Supplemental U.S. Tax
Considerations – Potential Application of Section 1260 of the Code” below.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice indicating that it and the U.S. Treasury Department are
actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the securities even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the securities until
maturity or earlier sale or exchange and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale, exchange or maturity of an instrument such as the securities should be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain
and could apply on a retroactive basis.
Please read carefully the section entitled “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”
in this pricing supplement, the section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your
own tax situation.
For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities, please read the
section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.
SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE SECURITIES
The securities are to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Indenture dated as of
October 23, 2003, between Royal Bank of Canada and The Bank of New York Mellon (as supplemented to date, the “Indenture”).
The information contained in this section and in the prospectus supplement and the
prospectus summarizes some of the terms of the securities and the Indenture. This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a potential investor in the securities. You should read the Indenture before making
your investment decision. We have filed copies of the Indenture with the SEC.
Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada
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Specified Currency:
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U.S. dollars
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per security
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Aggregate Principal Amount:
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$·
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Agent:
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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The agent may make sales through its affiliates or selling agents.
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Agent Acting in the Capacity of:
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Principal
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Pricing Date:
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April 29, 2019
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Original Issue Date:
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May 2, 2019
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Maturity Date:
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May 2, 2022, subject to postponement as described below. The maturity date will be a business day. If the maturity date
would otherwise be a date that is not a business day, the maturity date will be postponed to the next succeeding date that is a business day and no interest will accrue or be payable as a result of that postponement.
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Valuation Date:
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April 25, 2022. If such day is not a trading day with respect to either basket component, the valuation date for each
basket component will be postponed to the next succeeding trading day that is a trading day with respect to each basket component. If a market disruption event (as defined under “—Market Disruption Events” below) occurs or is continuing
with respect to a basket component on the valuation date, then the valuation date for such basket component will be postponed to the first succeeding trading day for such basket component on which a market disruption event for such basket
component has not occurred and is not continuing; however, if such first succeeding trading day has not occurred as of the eighth trading day for such basket component after the originally scheduled valuation date, that eighth trading day
shall be deemed to be the valuation date for such basket component. If the valuation date has been postponed eight trading days for a basket component after the originally scheduled valuation date and a market disruption event occurs or is
continuing with respect to such basket component on such eighth trading day, the calculation agent will determine the closing price of such basket component on such eighth trading day based on its good faith estimate of the value of the
shares (or other applicable securities) of such basket component as of the close of trading on such eighth trading day. Notwithstanding a postponement of the valuation date for a particular basket component due to a market disruption event
with respect to such basket component, the originally scheduled valuation date will remain the valuation date for any basket component not affected by a market disruption event.
If the valuation date is postponed as to one or both basket components, then the maturity date of the securities will be
postponed by an equal number of business days.
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The Basket:
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The return on the securities is linked to the performance of the following two basket components, having the
weightings noted in parentheses: the SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust (50.00%); and the iShares® MSCI China ETF (50.00%).
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Payment at Maturity:
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At maturity, for each security you own, you will receive a cash payment equal to the maturity payment amount. The maturity payment amount to which you will be entitled depends on the change in the value of the Basket based on the Final Basket
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Value relative to the Initial Basket Value, and whether or not the Final Basket Value is below the
Threshold Value. |
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The maturity payment amount
for each security will be determined by the calculation agent as described below:
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· If the Final Basket Value is greater than the Initial Basket Value, the
maturity payment amount per security will equal the lesser of:
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(a) $1,000 + ($1,000 x
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Final Basket Value – Initial Basket Value
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x Participation Rate); and
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Initial Basket Value
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(b) the maximum maturity payment amount
· If the Final Basket Value is less than or equal to the Initial Basket Value but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, the maturity payment amount per security will equal $1,000.
· If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, the maturity payment amount per security will equal:
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$1,000 – ($1,000 x
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Initial Fund Value – Final Basket Value
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)
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Initial Basket Value
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If the Final Basket Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose more
than 20%, and may lose up to 100%, of your principal. If the Final Basket Value is zero, the maturity payment amount will be $0.00 per security.
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Participation Rate:
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125%
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Maximum Maturity Payment
Amount:
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[$1,480- $1,530] (to be determined on the pricing date)
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Initial Basket Value:
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100
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Final Basket Value:
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The Final Basket Value will be calculated based on the weighted returns of the basket components and will be equal to
the product of (i) 100 and (ii) an amount equal to 1 plus the sum of: (A) 50.00% of the component return of the SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust; and (B) 50.00% of the component return of the iShares® MSCI China
ETF.
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Threshold Value:
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80, which is 80% of the Initial Basket Value.
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Component Return:
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The component return of each basket component will be equal to:
Final Component Price – Initial Component
Price
Initial Component Price
where,
· the Initial Component Price will be the fund closing price of the basket component on the pricing date, and
· the Final Component Price will be the fund closing price on the valuation date multiplied by its adjustment factor on that day.
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Closing Price:
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The “closing price” with respect to one share of a basket component (or one unit of any other
security for which a closing price must be determined) on any trading day means the official closing price on such day published by the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, on which such basket component (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading.
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Fund Closing Price:
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With respect to a basket component, the “fund closing price” on any trading day means the product of (i) the closing
price of one share of such basket component (or one unit of any other security for which a fund closing price must be determined) on such trading day and (ii) the adjustment factor applicable to such basket component on such trading day.
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Market Disruption Events:
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A “market disruption event”, means, with respect to a basket component, any of the following events as determined by the
calculation agent in its sole discretion:
· the occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by the relevant stock exchange (as defined below) or otherwise relating to the
shares (or other applicable securities) of such basket component or any successor basket component on the relevant stock exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on such day, whether by reason of
movements in price exceeding limits permitted by such relevant stock exchange or otherwise;
· the occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any related futures or options exchange (as defined below) or otherwise in
futures or options contracts relating to the shares (or other applicable securities) of such basket component or any successor basket component on any related futures or options exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at
the close of trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the related futures or options exchange or otherwise;
· the occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect
transactions in, or obtain market values for, shares (or other applicable securities) of such basket component or any successor basket component on the relevant stock exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of
trading on that day;
· the occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect
transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to shares (or other applicable securities) of such basket component or any successor basket component on any related futures or options exchange at any time
during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day;
·
the closure of the relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange with respect to such basket component or any successor basket
component prior to its scheduled closing time unless the earlier closing time is announced by the relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, at least one hour prior to the earlier of (1) the actual
closing time for the regular trading session on such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, and (2) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the relevant stock exchange or related futures
or options exchange, as applicable, system for execution at the close of trading on that day; or
·
the relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange with respect to such basket component or any successor basket component fails to
open for trading during its regular trading session.
For purposes of determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to a basket component:
(1)
“close of trading” means the scheduled closing time of the relevant
stock exchange with respect to such basket component or any successor basket component; and
(2) the “scheduled closing time” of
the relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange on any trading day for such basket
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component or any successor basket component means the scheduled weekday closing time of such relevant stock exchange or related
futures or options exchange on such trading day, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours.
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Adjustment Factor:
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The “adjustment factor” means, with respect to a share of a basket component (or one unit of any
other security for which a fund closing price must be determined), 1.0, subject to adjustment in the event of certain events affecting the shares of such basket component. See “—Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating to a Fund” below.
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Anti-Dilution Adjustments Relating
to a Fund:
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The calculation agent will adjust the adjustment factor with respect to a basket component as specified below if any of the events specified
below occurs with respect to such basket component and the effective date or ex-dividend date, as applicable, for such event is after the pricing date and on or prior to the valuation date for such basket component.
The adjustments specified below do not cover all events that could affect a basket component, and there may be other events
that could affect a basket component for which the calculation agent will not make any such adjustments, including, without limitation, an ordinary cash dividend. Nevertheless, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make
additional adjustments to any terms of the securities upon the occurrence of other events that affect or could potentially affect the market price of, or shareholder rights in, a basket component, with a view to offsetting, to the extent
practical, any such change, and preserving the relative investment risks of the securities. In addition, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make adjustments or a series of adjustments that differ from those described herein
if the calculation agent determines that such adjustments do not properly reflect the economic consequences of the events specified in this pricing supplement or would not preserve the relative investment risks of the securities. All
determinations made by the calculation agent in making any adjustments to the terms of the securities, including adjustments that are in addition to, or that differ from, those described in this pricing supplement, will be made in good
faith and a commercially reasonable manner, with the aim of ensuring an equitable result. In determining whether to make any adjustment to the terms of the securities, the calculation agent may consider any adjustment made by the Options
Clearing Corporation or any other equity derivatives clearing organization on options contracts on the affected basket component.
For any event described below, the calculation agent will not be required to adjust the adjustment factor for a basket
component unless the adjustment would result in a change to such adjustment factor then in effect of at least 0.10%. The adjustment factor resulting from any adjustment will be rounded up or down, as appropriate, to the nearest one-hundred
thousandth.
(A)
Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits
If a stock split or reverse stock split has occurred with respect to a basket component, then once
such split has become effective, the adjustment factor for such basket component will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior
adjustment factor for such basket component and the number of securities which a holder of one share (or other applicable security) of such basket component before the effective date of such stock split or reverse stock split would have
owned or been entitled to receive immediately following the applicable effective date.
(B)
Stock Dividends
If a dividend or distribution of shares (or other applicable securities) of a basket component has
been made by such basket component ratably to all holders of record of such shares (or other applicable security),
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then the adjustment factor for such basket component will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date to equal the prior
adjustment factor for such basket component plus the product of the prior adjustment factor and the number of shares (or other applicable
security) of such basket component which a holder of one share (or other applicable security) of such basket component before the ex-dividend date would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following that date; provided,
however, that no adjustment will be made for a distribution for which the number of securities of such basket component paid or distributed is based on a fixed cash equivalent value. For example, if a one-to-one share dividend is made as to
a basket component, its adjustment factor will be changed from 1 to 2.
(C) Extraordinary Dividends
If an extraordinary dividend (as defined below) has occurred with respect to a basket component, then
the adjustment factor for such basket component will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date to equal the product of the prior adjustment
factor for such basket component and a fraction, the numerator of which is the closing price per share (or other applicable security) of such basket component on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date, and the denominator of which
is the amount by which the closing price per share (or other applicable security) of such basket component on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the extraordinary dividend amount (as defined below).
For purposes of determining whether an extraordinary dividend has occurred:
(1) “extraordinary dividend” means any cash dividend or distribution (or portion thereof)
that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, is extraordinary or special; and
(2) “extraordinary dividend amount” with respect to an extraordinary dividend for the
securities of a basket component will equal the amount per share (or other applicable security) of such basket component of the applicable cash dividend or distribution that is attributable to the extraordinary dividend, as determined by
the calculation agent in its sole discretion.
A distribution on the securities of a basket component described below under the section entitled
“—Reorganization Events” below that also constitutes an extraordinary dividend will only cause an adjustment pursuant to that “—Reorganization Events” section.
(D) Other Distributions
If a basket component declares or makes a distribution to all holders of the shares (or other
applicable security) of such basket component of any non-cash assets, excluding dividends or distributions described under the section entitled “—Stock Dividends” above, then the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make such
adjustment (if any) to the adjustment factor as it deems appropriate in the circumstances. If the calculation agent determines to make an adjustment pursuant to this paragraph, it will do so with a view to offsetting, to the extent
practical, any change in the economic position of a holder of the securities that results solely from the applicable event.
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(E) Reorganization Events
If a basket component, or any successor basket component, is subject to a merger, combination,
consolidation or statutory exchange of securities with another exchange traded fund, and such basket component is not the surviving entity (a “reorganization event”),
then, on or after the date of such event, the calculation agent shall, in its sole discretion, make an adjustment to the adjustment factor for such basket component or the method of determining the maturity payment amount or any other terms
of the securities as the calculation agent determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on the securities of such event, and determine the effective date of that adjustment. If the calculation agent determines that no
adjustment that it could make will produce a commercially reasonable result, then the calculation agent may deem such event a liquidation event (as defined below).
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Liquidation Events:
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If a basket component is de-listed, liquidated or otherwise terminated (a “liquidation event”), and a successor or substitute exchange traded fund exists that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such basket component, then, upon the calculation
agent’s notification of that determination to the Trustee and to us, any subsequent fund closing price for such basket component will be determined by reference to the fund closing price of such successor or substitute exchange traded fund
(such exchange traded fund being referred to herein as a “successor basket component”), with such adjustments as the calculation agent determines are
appropriate to account for the economic effect of such substitution on holders of the securities.
If a basket component undergoes a liquidation event prior to, and such liquidation event is continuing on, the date that
any fund closing price of such basket component is to be determined and the calculation agent determines that no successor basket component is available at such time, then the calculation agent will, in its discretion, calculate the fund
closing price for such basket component on such date by a computation methodology that the calculation agent determines will as closely as reasonably possible replicate such basket component, provided that if the calculation agent
determines in its discretion that it is not practicable to replicate such basket component (including but not limited to the instance in which the sponsor of an Underlying Index discontinues publication of the relevant Underlying Index),
then the calculation agent will calculate the fund closing price for such basket component in accordance with the formula last used to calculate such fund closing price before such liquidation event, but using only those securities that
were held by such basket component immediately prior to such liquidation event without any rebalancing or substitution of such securities following such liquidation event.
If a successor basket component is selected or the calculation agent calculates the fund closing price as a substitute for
a basket component, such successor basket component or fund closing price will be used as a substitute for such basket component for all purposes, including for purposes of determining whether a market disruption event exists with respect
to such basket component. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, a liquidation event with respect to a basket component may adversely affect the value of the securities.
If any event is both a reorganization event and a liquidation event, such event will be treated as a reorganization event
for purposes of the securities unless the calculation agent makes the determination referenced in the last sentence of the section entitled “—Anti-Dilution Adjustments Relating to a Fund: Reorganization Events” above.
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Alternate Calculation:
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If at any time the method of calculating a basket component or a successor basket component, or the related Underlying
Index, is changed in a material respect, or if a basket component or a successor basket component is in any other way modified so that such basket component does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the price of
the securities of such basket component or such successor basket component had such changes or modifications not been made, then the calculation agent may, at the close of business in New York City on the date that any fund closing price is
to be determined, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the calculation agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a closing price of a basket component comparable to such basket component or such
successor basket component, as the case may be, as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the fund closing price of such basket component and the maturity payment amount with reference to such adjusted closing
price of such basket component or such successor basket component, as applicable.
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Calculation Agent:
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC will serve as the calculation agent. All determinations made by the calculation agent will be
at the sole discretion of the calculation agent and, absent a determination of a manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holders and beneficial owners of the securities.
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Trustee:
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The Bank of New York Mellon
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Business Day:
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For purposes of the securities, a business day means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
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Trading Day:
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A “trading day” with respect to a basket component means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which the
relevant stock exchange and each related futures or options exchange with respect to such basket component or any successor thereto, if applicable, are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions.
The “relevant stock exchange” for a basket component means the primary exchange or quotation system on which shares
(or other applicable securities) of such basket component are traded, as determined by the calculation agent.
The “related futures or options exchange” for a basket component means each exchange or quotation system where trading
has a material effect (as determined by the calculation agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to such basket component.
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Additional Amounts:
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We will pay any amounts to be paid by us on the securities without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any
and all present or future income, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (taxes) now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of Canada or any Canadian political subdivision or authority that has the power to tax, unless the deduction or withholding is required by law or by the
interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant governmental authority. At any time a Canadian taxing jurisdiction requires us to deduct or withhold for or on account of taxes from any payment made under or in respect of the
securities, we will pay such additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as may be necessary so that the net amounts received by each holder
(including Additional Amounts), after such deduction or withholding, will not be less than the amount the holder would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required.
However, no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a holder of a security or of a right
to receive payments in respect thereto (a Payment Recipient), which we refer to as an Excluded Holder, in respect of any taxes imposed because the beneficial owner or Payment Recipient:
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(i)
is someone with whom we do not deal at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) at the time of making such payment;
(ii)
is subject to such taxes by reason of its being connected presently or formerly with Canada or any province or territory thereof otherwise than by reason of the
holder’s activity in connection with purchasing the securities, the holding of securities or the receipt of payments thereunder;
(iii)
is, or does not deal at arm’s length with a person who is, a specified
shareholder (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) of Royal Bank of Canada (generally a person will be a specified shareholder for this purpose if that person, either alone or together with persons
with whom the person does not deal at arm’s length, owns 25% or more of (a) our voting shares, or (b) the fair market value of all of our issued and outstanding shares);
(iv)
presents such security for payment (where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the relevant date (except to the extent that the holder thereof would
have been entitled to such Additional Amounts on presenting a security for payment on the last day of such 30 day period); for this purpose, the relevant
date in relation to any payments on any security means:
a. the due date for payment thereof, or
b. if the full amount of the monies payable on such date has not been received by the Trustee on or prior to such due date, the date on which the full amount of such monies has
been received and notice to that effect is given to holders of the securities in accordance with the Indenture;
(v)
could lawfully avoid (but has not so avoided) such withholding or deduction by complying, or requiring that any agent comply with, any statutory requirements
necessary to establish qualification for an exemption from withholding or by making, or requiring that any agent make, a declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption to any relevant tax authority; or
(vi) is subject to deduction or withholding on account of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the application of Section
1471 through 1474 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code) (or any successor provisions), any regulation,
pronouncement, or agreement thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto, whether currently in effect or as published and amended from time to time.
For the avoidance of doubt, we will not have any obligation to pay any holders Additional Amounts on any tax which is
payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or in respect of the securities at maturity.
We will also make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant
authority in accordance with applicable law. We will furnish to the Trustee, within 30 days after the date the payment of any taxes is due
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pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing that such payment has been made or other
evidence of such payment satisfactory to the Trustee. We will indemnify and hold harmless each holder of the securities (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such holder for the amount of (x) any taxes so
levied or imposed and paid by such holder as a result of payments made under or with respect to the securities, and (y) any taxes levied or imposed and paid by such holder with respect to any reimbursement under (x) above, but excluding any
such taxes on such holder’s net income or capital.
For additional information, see the section entitled “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying
prospectus.
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Authorized Denominations:
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$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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Form of Securities:
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Book-entry
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Listing:
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The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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Failure to Pay Maturity Payment Amount When Due:
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In the event we fail to pay the maturity payment amount on the maturity date, any overdue payment in respect of the
maturity payment amount of the securities on the maturity date will bear interest until the date upon which all sums due in respect of such securities are received by or on behalf of the relevant holder, at a rate per annum which is the
rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of six months which appears on the Reuters Page LIBOR01 (or any replacement page or pages for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major U.S. banks) as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on the first business day following that failure to pay. That rate will be determined by the calculation agent. If interest is required to be calculated for a period of less than one year, it will be calculated on the basis
of a 360-day year consisting of the actual number of days in the period.
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Events of Default and Acceleration:
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If the maturity of the securities is accelerated upon an event of default under the Indenture, the amount payable upon acceleration will be
determined by the calculation agent. The amount will be the maturity payment amount, calculated as if the date of declaration of acceleration were the valuation date.
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THE BASKET
The Basket is comprised of the following two basket components, with each basket component having the
weighting noted in parentheses: the SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust (50.00%); and the iShares® MSCI China ETF (50.00%). The value of the Basket will increase or decrease depending upon the
performance of the basket components. For more information regarding the basket components, see “The Basket Components” below. The Basket does not reflect the performance of all major securities markets.
The following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical daily values of the Basket for the period from
January 1, 2014 to March 26, 2019, assuming that the Basket was constructed on January 1, 2014, with a starting value of 100 and that each of the basket components had the applicable weighting as of that day. We obtained the closing prices and
other information used to create the graph below from Bloomberg. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg.
The hypothetical historical basket values, as calculated solely for the purposes of the offering of the
securities, fluctuated in the past and may experience significant fluctuations in the future. Any historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period shown below is not an indication that the percentage change in the
value of the Basket is more likely to be positive or negative during the term of the securities. The hypothetical historical values do not give an indication of future values of the Basket.
THE BASKET COMPONENTS
We have derived the following information regarding the basket components and their Underlying Indices
from publicly available documents published by State Street Global Advisors, as to the SPY, and BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA), as to the MCHI, and
the Index Sponsors. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with any basket component and no basket component will have any obligations with respect to the securities. This
pricing supplement relates only to the securities and does not relate to the shares of the basket components or any assets included in the Underlying Indices. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC participates in the preparation of the
publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the basket components in connection with the offering of the securities. There can be no assurance that all
events occurring prior to the date of this pricing supplement, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described below, that would affect the trading price of the shares of any basket
component have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning a basket component could affect the value of its shares on the valuation date and
therefore could affect the payment at maturity.
Each of the basket components files documents with the SEC under the Investment Company Act. Those filings
may be found on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. However, none of those filings shall be deemed to be included or incorporated by
reference in this document.
SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust (the “SPY”)
SPDR® and S&P 500® are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC
(“S&P Financial”). The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (the “SPDR Trust”) or S&P Financial. Neither the SPDR Trust nor S&P Financial makes any
representations or warranties to the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. Neither the SPDR Trust nor S&P Financial will have any obligation or liability in connection
with the registration, operation, marketing, trading or sale of the securities or in connection with our use of information about the SPDR Trust.
The shares of the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF trade on the NYSE Arca under the symbol “SPY.”
The SPY’s investment adviser is State Street Global Advisors.
The SPY seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance,
before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500® Index (the “SPX Index”). To maintain the correspondence between the composition and weightings of stocks held by the SPY and component stocks of the SPX Index, the SPY adjusts its holdings
from time to time to conform to periodic changes in the identity and/or relative weightings of the index securities.
The SPY utilizes a “passive” or “indexing” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the
SPX Index. The SPY seeks to invest in substantially all of the securities that comprise the SPX Index. The SPY typically earns income from dividends from securities that it holds. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed
along to the SPY’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the SPY realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”
The S&P 500® Index (“SPX Index”)
The SPX Index is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The
calculation of the level of the SPX Index is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar
companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
S&P calculates the SPX Index by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX Index
without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX Index constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on
those stocks.
Effective with the September 2015 rebalance, consolidated share class lines will no longer be included in the
SPX 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 SPX Index while a second listed share class line of the same company is excluded.
Computation of the SPX Index
While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX Index, no assurance can be given that S&P will
not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the Payment at Maturity.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX Index was calculated as the product of the
market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, S&P began shifting the SPX Index halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX
Index to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX Index did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the SPX Index.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX Index reflect only those shares that are
available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock’s outstanding shares, other than
holdings by “block owners,” were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX Index. Generally, these “control holders” will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly
traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all
levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual
funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be
considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and
rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control
block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares by
the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company’s officers and
directors hold 3% of the company’s shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company’s officers and directors
hold 3% of the company’s shares and another control group holds 20% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company’s outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31,
2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX Index. Constituents of the SPX Index prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the
SPX Index. If a constituent company of the SPX Index reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX Index at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The SPX Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX Index reflects
the total market value of all 500 component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to use and track over time. The
actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941-43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX
Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the “index divisor.” By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX Index, it serves as a link to the
original base period level of the SPX Index. The index divisor keeps the SPX Index comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX Index, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions,
share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock
prices of the companies in the SPX Index, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the SPX Index from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect
the total market value of the SPX Index require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX Index remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual
companies in the SPX Index. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX Index closing level.
Changes in a company’s total shares outstanding of 5% or more due to public offerings are made as soon as reasonably possible.
Other changes of 5% or more (for example, due to tender offers, Dutch auctions, voluntary exchange offers, company stock repurchases, private placements, acquisitions of private companies or non-index companies that do not trade
on a major exchange, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity
participations, at-the-market stock offerings or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are generally announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading the following Friday (one week later). If a 5% or more share change
causes a company’s IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
iShares® MSCI China ETF (the “MCHI”)
“iShares®” and “BlackRock” are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its
subsidiaries. The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BFA, or by any of the iShares® Funds. Neither BFA nor the iShares® Funds make any representations or warranties to the owners of the securities or
any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. Neither BFA nor the iShares® Funds shall have any obligation or liability in connection with the registration, operation, marketing, trading, or sale of
the securities or in connection with our use of information about the Underlying Index for the MCHI or any of the iShares® Funds.
iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including these basket components. Each
basket component seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the related Underlying Index. The MCHI typically earns income from dividends from securities that it holds. These
amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the basket component’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the MCHI realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are
distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the securities are linked only to the share price of the basket components, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from any
basket component or any equivalent payments.
The shares of the iShares® MSCI China ETF trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol “MCHI.”
The MSCHI seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI China Index (its “Underlying Index”), which is
a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% in market capitalization of the Chinese equity securities markets, as represented by the H-shares (securities of
companies incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) that are denominated in Hong Kong dollars and listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong) and B-shares (securities of companies incorporated in the PRC that are denominated in U.S.
dollars (in the case of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”)) or Hong Kong dollars (in the case of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”)) and listed on the SSE and the SZSE) markets. The Underlying Index also includes certain Hong Kong listed
securities known as Red-Chips (issued by companies incorporated in certain foreign jurisdictions, which are controlled, directly or indirectly, by entities owned by the national government or local governments in the PRC and derive substantial
revenues or allocate substantial assets in the PRC) and PChips (issued by companies incorporated in certain foreign jurisdictions, which are controlled, directly or indirectly, by individuals in the PRC and derive substantial revenues or allocate
substantial assets in the PRC). As of May 31, 2018, the Underlying Index also includes A-shares (securities of companies incorporated in the PRC that are denominated in renminbi and listed on the SSE and the SZSE).
The Underlying Index may include large- or mid-capitalization companies. The components of the Underlying
Index are expected to change over time.
BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the MCHI. “Representative sampling” is an
indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate,
investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The
MCHI may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.
The MCHI generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying
Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the Underlying Index (i.e., depositary receipts representing securities of the Underlying Index) and may invest up to 10% of
its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes
will help the MCHI track the Underlying Index. The MCHI seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the MCHI.
The MCHI may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the MCHI’s total assets (including the value of any
collateral received).
The MCHI will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular
industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements
collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.
The MSCI Indices
MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure equity performance in international markets. The
MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging, and frontier markets.
MSCI enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI
Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The Enhanced MSCI Standard Indices are
composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents of the
transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process,
which involves:
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defining the equity universe;
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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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securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
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For additional information about the construction of the Underlying Index, please visit the MSCI website. The
information set forth on that website shall not be deemed to be included or incorporated by reference in this document.
Historical Closing Prices of the Basket Components
The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of each basket component for the period from January 1,
2014 to March 26, 2019. This historical data on each basket component is not indicative of its future price per share or what the market value of the securities may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of a basket
component during any period set forth below is not any indication that its price per share is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the term of the securities.
SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF Trust
iShares® MSCI China ETF
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
An investor should read carefully the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations
relevant to a Non-resident Holder owning debt securities under “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following, together with the discussion of U.S. federal
income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, is a general description of the material U.S. tax considerations relating to the securities. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating
to the securities. Prospective purchasers of the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident for tax purposes and the tax laws of the U.S. of acquiring, holding
and disposing of the securities and receiving payments under the securities. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this pricing supplement and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date.
Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations
The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in
the accompanying prospectus under “Tax Consequences – United States Taxation” and prospectus supplement under “Certain Income Tax Consequences – United States Taxation” with respect to U.S. holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus). It
applies only to those initial holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the consequences of investing in and holding the
securities.
NO STATUTORY, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY DIRECTLY DISCUSSES HOW THE
SECURITIES SHOULD BE TREATED FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. AS A RESULT, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES ARE UNCERTAIN. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR IN
DETERMINING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
In the opinion of our counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it would generally be
reasonable to treat the securities as pre-paid cash-settled derivative contracts in respect of the Basket for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the terms of the securities require a holder and us (in the absence of a change in law or an
administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. If the securities are so treated, subject to the discussion below concerning the potential application of the
“constructive ownership” rules under Section 1260 of the Code, a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a holder
receives at such time and the holder’s tax basis in the securities. In general, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the securities will be equal to the price the holder paid for the securities. Capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder is
generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year and is generally taxed at ordinary income rates where the property is held for one year or less. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Potential Application of Section 1260 of the Code. Since shares of the basket components are the type of financial asset described under Section 1260 of the Code (including, among others, any equity interest in pass-thru entities
such as regulated investment companies (including certain exchange-traded funds), real estate investment trusts, partnerships and passive foreign investment companies), while the matter is not entirely clear, there exists a substantial risk that an
investment in the securities is a “constructive ownership transaction” to which Section 1260 of the Code applies. If Section 1260 of the Code applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. holder in respect of the
securities could be recharacterized as ordinary income (the Excess Gain). In addition, an interest charge will also apply to any deemed underpayment
of tax in respect of any Excess Gain to the extent such gain would have resulted in gross income inclusions for the U.S. holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the sale, exchange or maturity (assuming such income accrued at a constant
rate equal to the applicable federal rate as of the date of sale, exchange or maturity).
If an investment in the securities is treated as a constructive ownership transaction, it is not clear to
what extent any long-term capital gain of a U.S. holder in respect of the securities will be recharacterized as ordinary income. It is possible, for example, that the amount of the Excess Gain (if any) that would be recharacterized as ordinary
income in respect of the
securities will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the U.S. holder in respect
of the securities, over (ii) the “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code) such U.S. holder would have had if such U.S. holder had acquired shares of the basket components at fair market value on the original
issue date of the securities for an amount equal to the issue price of the securities and sold such shares of the basket components upon the date of sale, exchange or maturity of the securities at fair market value (appropriately taking into
account the leveraged upside exposure). To the extent any gain is treated as long-term capital gain after application of the recharacterization rules of Section 1260 of the Code, such gain would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates
that would have been applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to an investment in the securities.
Alternative Treatments. Alternative tax treatments of the securities are also possible and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, it would
also be possible to treat the securities, and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that the securities should be treated, as debt instruments. Pursuant to such characterization such debt instruments would be subject to the special tax rules
governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the securities are so treated, a holder would generally be required to accrue interest currently over the term of the securities even though that holder will not receive any payments from us prior
to maturity. In addition, any gain a holder might recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities would be ordinary income and any loss recognized by a holder at such time would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest included
in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the securities, and thereafter, would be capital loss.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of
the securities, it is also possible that the Internal Revenue Service could seek to characterize the securities in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the Internal Revenue Service
could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a notice that may affect the taxation of
holders of the securities. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the securities should be required to accrue ordinary income on a
current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the securities will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be
applied on a retroactive basis. The Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital and
whether the constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the Code, as discussed above, might be applied to such instruments. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above
considerations. We intend to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described in this document unless and until such time as the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service determine
that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. Please see the discussion under “Tax Consequences — United States Taxation — Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the
applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the securities.
Non-U.S. Holders. The following discussion applies to non-U.S. holders of the securities. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a security that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a
foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.
Except as described below, a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or
withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the securities, provided that (i) the holder complies with any applicable certification requirements, (ii) the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a U.S. trade or
business, and (iii) if the holder is a non-resident alien individual, such holder is not present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities. In the case of (ii) above, the holder
generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any income or gain in the same manner as if the holder were a U.S. holder and, in the case of a holder that is a corporation, the holder may also be subject to a branch profits
tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to
certain adjustments. Payments made to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the holder complies with applicable certification and identification requirements as to its foreign status.
Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a
dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to
equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective
dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2021. Based on our determination
that the securities are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the securities. However, it is possible that the securities could be treated as deemed reissued
for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Funds or the securities, and following such occurrence the securities could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S.
holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Fund or the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the securities and their
other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to
amounts so withheld. As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or
otherwise, cause payments on the securities to become subject to withholding tax, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. The Internal Revenue Service has also indicated that it is considering whether income in respect of
instruments such as the securities should be subject to withholding tax. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) will impose a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S.–source payments, including interest (and OID), dividends, other fixed or determinable
annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S.–source interest or dividends (Withholdable Payments), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S.
Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department certain information regarding U.S. financial account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution or
otherwise complies with FATCA. In addition, the securities may constitute a “financial account” for these purposes and thus, be subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to FATCA. FATCA also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30%
on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect
substantial U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have announced that withholding on payments of gross proceeds
from a sale or redemption of the securities will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. However, recently proposed regulations eliminate the requirement of withholding on gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of financial
instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. If we determine withholding is appropriate with respect to the securities, we will withhold tax at the
applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the
United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
The net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used as described under “Use
of Proceeds” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus and to hedge market risks of Royal Bank of Canada associated with its obligation to pay the maturity payment amount at maturity of the securities.
The initial public offering price of the securities includes the underwriting discount
and commission, as well as hedging and other costs associated with the securities. Our hedging costs include the projected profit that our hedge counterparty expects to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our
obligations under the securities. We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities through an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and/or one or more of our affiliates. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced
by market forces beyond our or our counterparties’ control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss.
We have no obligation to engage in any manner of hedging activity and will do so solely
at our discretion and for our own account. No holder of the securities will have any rights or interest in our hedging activity or any positions we or any counterparty may take in connection with our hedging activity.
The hedging activity discussed above and other trading activities that we, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
and our respective affiliates may engage in may adversely affect the value of the Basket, the market value of the securities from time to time and the maturity payment amount you will receive on the securities at maturity. See “Risk Factors —
Hedging transactions may affect the return on the securities” and “— Potential conflicts of interest could arise” for a discussion of these adverse effects.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The
securities are being purchased by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the agent) as principal, pursuant to a distribution agreement between the agent and us. The agent has agreed to pay certain of our out-of-pocket expenses of the issue of the securities.
From time to time, the agent and its affiliates have engaged, and in the future may
engage, in transactions with and performance of services for us for which they have been, and may be, paid customary fees. In particular, an affiliate of the agent will be our swap counterparty for a hedge relating to our obligations under the
securities.
In the future, the agent and its affiliates may purchase and resell the offered
securities in market-making transactions, with resales being made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of resale or otherwise. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may act as principal or agent in such transactions.
The agent has committed to purchase all of these securities in the initial public offering of the
securities if any are purchased.
The agent proposes to offer the securities in part directly to the public at the public offering price
set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement and in part to WFA and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC or certain securities dealers at such price less a selling concession of $20.00 per security. In addition to the selling
concession allowed to WFA, the agent will pay $0.75 per security of the underwriting discount and commission to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA.
After the initial public offering of the securities is completed, the public offering price and
concessions may be changed by the agent.
Proceeds to be received by Royal Bank of Canada in this offering will be net of the underwriting
discount, commission and expenses payable by Royal Bank of Canada.
The securities are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. We have been advised by
the agent that the agent intends to make a market in the securities. However the agent is not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for
the securities.
Any price that the agent makes available from time to time after the original issue date at which it
would be willing to purchase the securities will generally reflect the agent’s estimate of their value, less a customary bid-ask spread for similar trades and the cost of unwinding any related hedge transactions. That estimated value will be based
upon a variety of factors, including then prevailing market conditions and our creditworthiness. However, for a period of three months after the original issue date, the price at which the agent may purchase the securities is expected to be higher
than the price that would be determined based on the agent’s valuation at that time less the bid-ask spread and hedging unwind costs referenced above. This is because, at the beginning of this period, that price will not include certain costs that
were included in the initial public offering price, particularly a portion of the underwriting discount and commission (not including the selling concession) and the expected profits of our hedging counterparty(ies). As the period continues, these
costs are expected to be gradually included in the price that the agent would be willing to pay, and the difference between that price and the price that would be determined based on the agent’s valuation of the securities less a bid-ask spread and
hedging unwind costs will decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if the agent continues to make a market in the securities, the prices that it would pay for them are expected to reflect the agent’s estimated value,
less the bid-ask spread and hedging unwind costs referenced above. In addition, the value of the securities shown on your account statement will generally reflect the price that the agent would be willing to pay to purchase the securities at that
time.
Our broker-dealer subsidiary, RBC Capital Markets, LLC (RBCCM), does not expect to make a market in the securities. If RBCCM determines that the agent is unable or unwilling to make a market in the securities at any time, RBCCM may, but is not obligated to, make a
market in the securities at that time. If RBCCM makes a market in the securities at any time, its valuation of the securities may differ from the agent’s valuation, and consequently the price at which it may be willing to purchase the securities
may differ from (and be lower than) the price at which the agent would have purchased the securities at that time.
Royal Bank of Canada has agreed to indemnify the agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933.
No action has been or will be taken by Royal Bank of Canada, the agent or any broker-dealer affiliates of
either Royal Bank of Canada or the agent that would permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction, other than the
United States, where action for that purpose is required. No offers, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, may be made in or from any jurisdiction
except in circumstances which will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and will not impose any obligations on Royal Bank of Canada, the agent or any broker-dealer affiliates of either Royal Bank of Canada or the agent.
Selling Restrictions
Argentina
Royal Bank of Canada U.S. Medium-Term Notes program and the related offer of securities and the sale of
securities under the terms and conditions provided herein does not constitute a public offering in Argentina. Consequently, no public offering approval has been requested or granted by the Comisión Nacional de Valores, nor has any listing
authorization of the securities been requested on any stock market in Argentina.
Brazil
The securities may not be offered or sold to the public in Brazil. Accordingly, this pricing supplement
and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus have not been submitted to the Comissão de Valores Mobiliáros for approval. Documents relating to this offering may not be supplied to the public as a public offering in Brazil or be used in
connection with any offer for subscription or sale to the public in Brazil.
Chile
The securities have not been registered with the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros in Chile and may
not be offered or sold publicly in Chile. No offer, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, may be made in or from Chile except in circumstances
that will result in compliance with any applicable Chilean laws and regulations.
China
This pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus have not been filed with
or approved by the People’s Republic of China (for such purposes, not including Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions or Taiwan) authorities, and is not an offer of securities (whether public offering or private placement) within the
meaning of the Securities Law or other pertinent laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China. These documents shall not be delivered to any party who is not an intended recipient or offered to the general public if used within the
People’s Republic of China, and the securities so offered cannot be sold to anyone that is not a qualified purchaser of the People’s Republic of China. Each dealer has represented, warranted and agreed that the notes are not being offered or sold
and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the People’s Republic of China, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
European Union
No Prospectus (as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, the “Prospectus Directive”)) will be
prepared in connection with these securities. Accordingly, these securities may not be offered to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), and any purchaser of these securities who subsequently sells any of these
securities in any EEA member state must do so only in accordance with the requirements of the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that member state.
The securities are not intended to be offered, sold, or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or
otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so
as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID
II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified
investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No.
1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them
available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Mexico
The securities have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican
National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus may not be publicly distributed in Mexico.
Paraguay
This is a private and personal offering. The securities offered have not been approved by or registered
with the National Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores) and are not part of a public offering as defined by the Paraguayan Securities Law. The information contained herein is for informational and marketing purposes only and should
not be taken as an investment advice.
Peru
The securities have not been and will not be registered with the Capital Markets Public Registry of the
Capital Markets Superintendence (SMV) nor the Lima Stock Exchange Registry (RBVL) for their public offering in Peru under the Peruvian Capital Markets Law (Law No861/Supreme Decree No093-2002) and the decrees and regulations
thereunder.
Consequently, the securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this pricing
supplement, the accompanying supplements or any other offering material relating to the securities be distributed or caused to be distributed in Peru to the general public. The securities may only be offered in a private offering without using mass
marketing, which is defined as a marketing strategy utilizing mass distribution and mass media to offer, negotiate or distribute securities to the whole market. Mass media includes newspapers, magazines, radio, television, mail, meetings, social
networks, Internet servers located in Peru, and other media or technology platforms.
Uruguay
The sale of the securities qualifies as a private placement pursuant to section 2 of Uruguayan law 18,627.
The securities must not be offered or sold to the public in Uruguay, except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offering or distribution under Uruguayan laws and regulations. The securities are not and will not be registered with the
Financial Services Superintendency of the Central Bank of Uruguay.
Taiwan
The securities may be made available outside Taiwan for purchase by Taiwan residents outside Taiwan but
may not be offered or sold in Taiwan.
Structuring the Securities
The securities are our debt securities. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our
structured notes, the economic terms of the securities reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the
funds under these securities at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. This relatively lower implied borrowing rate, which is reflected in
the economic terms of the securities, along with the underwriting discount and commission and hedging and other costs associated with the securities, typically reduces the initial estimated value of the securities at the time their terms are set.
In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the securities, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements
(which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with an affiliate of the agent and/or one of our subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness,
interest rate movements, and the tenor of the securities. The economic terms of the securities and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements. Our cost of hedging will include the projected profit
that such counterparties expect to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risks and may be influenced by market forces beyond the
counterparties’ control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” above.
The lower implied borrowing rate, the underwriting discount and commission and hedging and other costs associated with the
securities reduce the economic terms of the securities to you and result in the initial estimated value for the securities on the pricing date being less than their initial public offering price. See “Risk Factors—Our initial estimated value of
the securities will be less than the initial public offering price” above.