 | Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration Statement No. 333-227001 | ||
| The information in this preliminary terms supplement is not complete and may be changed. | |||
Preliminary Terms Supplement Subject to Completion: Dated June 25, 2021 Pricing Supplement Dated June __, 2021 to the Product Prospectus Supplement No. CCBN-2, Dated September 10, 2018, the Prospectus Supplement Dated September 7, 2018, and the Prospectus Dated September 7, 2018 | $__________ Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices, Due December 31, 2026 Royal Bank of Canada | ||
Royal Bank of Canada is offering Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of three equity indices (each, a “Reference Index” and collectively, the “Reference Indices”). The Notes are our senior unsecured obligations, will pay a quarterly Contingent Coupon at the rate and under the circumstances specified below, and will have the terms described in the documents described above, as supplemented or modified by this terms supplement.
Reference Indices | Initial Levels | Coupon Barriers and Trigger Levels |
S&P 500® Index (“SPX”) | 60% of the Initial Level | |
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”) | 60% of the Initial Level | |
EURO STOXX 50® Index (“SX5E”) | 60% of the Initial Level |
The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.
Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P-7 of this terms supplement, and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and page PS-5 of the product prospectus supplement dated September 10, 2018.
The Notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Canadian or U.S. government agency or instrumentality. The Notes are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this terms supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| Issuer: | Royal Bank of Canada | Stock Exchange Listing: | None |
| Trade Date: | June 28, 2021 | Principal Amount: | $1,000 per Note |
| Issue Date: | June 30, 2021 | Maturity Date: | December 31, 2026 |
| Observation Dates: | Quarterly, as set forth below. | Coupon Payment Dates: | Quarterly, as set forth below. |
| Valuation Date: | December 28, 2026 | Contingent Coupon Rate: | 4.75% per annum |
| Final Level: | For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Valuation Date. | ||
| Contingent Coupon: | If the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier on the applicable Observation Date, we will pay the Contingent Coupon on the applicable Coupon Payment Date. You may not receive any Contingent Coupons during the term of the Notes. | ||
Payment at Maturity (if held to maturity): | If the Notes are not previously called, we will pay you at maturity an amount based on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index: For each $1,000 in principal amount, $1,000 plus the Contingent Coupon at maturity, unless the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level. If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level, then the investor will receive at maturity, for each $1,000 in principal amount, a cash payment equal to: $1,000 + ($1,000 x Underlying Return of the Lesser Performing Reference Index) Investors could lose some or all of the principal amount if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level. | ||
Lesser Performing Reference Index: | The Reference Index with the lowest Underlying Return. | ||
| Call Feature: | If the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level starting on June 28, 2022 and on any Observation Date thereafter, the Notes will be automatically called for 100% of their principal amount, plus the Contingent Coupon applicable to the corresponding Observation Date. | ||
| Observation Dates: | Quarterly, as set forth below. | ||
| CUSIP: | 78016EEZ6 | ||
| Per Note | Total | ||
Price to public(1) | 100.00% | $ | |
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | 2.25% | $ | |
| Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada | 97.75% | $ |
(1) Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their underwriting discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts may be between $977.50 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.
If the Notes priced on the date of this terms supplement, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, which we refer to as RBCCM, acting as agent for Royal Bank of Canada, would receive a commission of approximately $22.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes and would use a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers of up to approximately $22.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes. The other dealers may forgo, in their sole discretion, some or all of their selling concessions. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the Trade Date is expected to be at least $889 per $1,000 in principal amount, and will be less than the price to public. The final pricing supplement relating to the Notes will set forth our estimate of the initial value of the Notes as of the Trade Date. The actual value of the Notes at any time will reflect many factors, cannot be predicted with accuracy, and may be less than this amount. We describe our determination of the initial estimated value in more detail below.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this terms supplement, the product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus.
| General: | This terms supplement relates to an offering of Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of three equity indices (the “Reference Indices”). |
| Issuer: | Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”) |
| Trade Date: | June 28, 2021 |
| Issue Date: | June 30, 2021 |
| Valuation Date: | December 28, 2026 |
| Maturity Date: | December 31, 2026 |
| Denominations: | Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter. |
| Contingent Coupon: | We will pay you a Contingent Coupon during the term of the Notes, periodically in arrears on each Coupon Payment Date, under the conditions described below: • If the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier on the applicable Observation Date, we will pay the Contingent Coupon applicable to that Observation Date. • If the closing level of any of the Reference Indices is less than its Coupon Barrier on the applicable Observation Date, we will not pay you the Contingent Coupon applicable to that Observation Date. You may not receive a Contingent Coupon for one or more quarterly periods during the term of the Notes. |
Contingent Coupon Rate: | 4.75% per annum (1.1875% per quarter) |
| Observation Dates: | Quarterly, on September 28, 2021, December 28, 2021, March 28, 2022, June 28, 2022, September 28, 2022, December 28, 2022, March 28, 2023, June 28, 2023, September 28, 2023, December 28, 2023, March 28, 2024, June 28, 2024, September 30, 2024, December 30, 2024, March 28, 2025, June 30, 2025, September 29, 2025, December 29, 2025, March 30, 2026, June 29, 2026, September 28, 2026 and the Valuation Date. |
Coupon Payment Dates: | The Contingent Coupon, if payable, will be paid quarterly on October 1, 2021, December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, July 1, 2022, October 3, 2022, January 3, 2023, March 31, 2023, July 3, 2023, October 3, 2023, January 3, 2024, April 3, 2024, July 3, 2024, October 3, 2024, January 3, 2025, April 2, 2025, July 3, 2025, October 2, 2025, January 2, 2026, April 2, 2026, July 2, 2026, October 1, 2026 and the Maturity Date. |
| Record Dates: | The record date for each Coupon Payment Date will be one business day prior to that scheduled Coupon Payment Date; provided, however, that any Contingent Coupon payable at maturity or upon a call will be payable to the person to whom the payment at maturity or upon the call, as the case may be, will be payable. |
| Call Feature: | If, starting on June 28, 2022 and on any Observation Date thereafter, the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level, then the Notes will be automatically called. |
| Payment if Called: | If the Notes are automatically called, then, on the applicable Coupon Payment Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, you will receive $1,000 plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due on that Coupon Payment Date. |
| Initial Level: | For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Trade Date. |
| Final Level: | For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Valuation Date. |
Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level: | For each Reference Index, 60% of its Initial Level. |
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
Payment at Maturity (if not previously called and held to maturity): | If the Notes are not previously called, we will pay you at maturity an amount based on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index: • If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Trigger Level, we will pay you a cash payment equal to the principal amount plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due on the Maturity Date. • If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level, you will receive at maturity, for each $1,000 in principal amount, a cash payment equal to: $1,000 + ($1,000 x Underlying Return of the Lesser Performing Reference Index) The amount of cash that you receive will be less than your principal amount, if anything, resulting in a loss that is proportionate to the decline of the Lesser Performing Reference Index from the Trade Date to the Valuation Date. Investors in the Notes could lose some or all of the principal amount if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level. |
| Underlying Return: | With respect to each Reference Index: Final Level – Initial Level Initial Level |
Lesser Performing Reference Index: | The Reference Index with the lowest Underlying Return. |
Market Disruption Events: | The occurrence of a market disruption event (or a non-trading day) as to any of the Reference Indices will result in the postponement of an Observation Date or the Valuation Date as to that Reference Index, as described in the product prospectus supplement, but not to any non-affected Reference Index. |
| Calculation Agent: | RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”) |
| U.S. Tax Treatment: | By purchasing a Note, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the Note as a callable pre-paid cash-settled contingent income-bearing derivative contract linked to the Reference Indices for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the section below, “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” and the discussion (including the opinion of our counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP) in the product prospectus supplement under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” which apply to the Notes. |
| Secondary Market: | RBCCM (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the Issue Date. The amount that you may receive upon sale of your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount. |
| Listing: | The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
| Settlement: | DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as described under “Description of Debt Securities—Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the prospectus). |
Terms Incorporated in the Master Note: | All of the terms appearing above the item captioned “Secondary Market” on the cover page and pages P-2 and P-3 of this terms supplement and the terms appearing under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement, as modified by this terms supplement. |
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this terms supplement together with the prospectus dated September 7, 2018, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and the product prospectus supplement dated September 10, 2018, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H, of which these Notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this terms supplement will have the meanings given to them in the product prospectus supplement. In the event of any conflict, this terms supplement will control. The Notes vary from the terms described in the product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should read this terms supplement carefully.
This terms supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and in the product prospectus supplement dated September 10, 2018, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. You may access these documents on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465918005973/l96181424b3.htm
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465918005973/l96181424b3.htm
Prospectus Supplement dated September 7, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465918005975/f97180424b3.htm
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465918005975/f97180424b3.htm
Product Prospectus Supplement dated September 10, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000114036118038089/form424b5.htm
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000114036118038089/form424b5.htm
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this terms supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Royal Bank of Canada.
Royal Bank of Canada has filed a registration statement (including a product prospectus supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this terms supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read those documents and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may obtain these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Royal Bank of Canada, any agent or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free at 1-877-688-2301.
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES
The table set out below is included for illustration purposes only. The table illustrates the Payment at Maturity of the Notes (including the final Contingent Coupon, if payable) for a hypothetical range of performance for the Lesser Performing Reference Index, assuming the following terms and that the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity:
| Hypothetical Initial Level (for each Reference Index): | 100.00* | |
| Hypothetical Trigger Level and Coupon Barrier (for each Reference Index): | 60% of each hypothetical Initial Level | |
| Hypothetical Contingent Coupon Rate: | 4.75% per annum (or 1.1875% per quarter) | |
| Hypothetical Contingent Coupon Amount: | $11.875 per quarter | |
| Observation Dates: | Quarterly | |
| Principal Amount: | $1,000 per Note |
* The hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual Initial Level of any Reference Index. The actual Initial Levels for each Reference Index will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes. We make no representation or warranty as to which of the Reference Indices will be the Lesser Performing Reference Index. It is possible that the Final Level of each Reference Index will be less than its Initial Level.
Hypothetical Final Levels of the Lesser Performing Reference Index are shown in the first column on the left. The second column shows the Payment at Maturity for a range of Final Levels. The third column shows the amount of cash to be paid on the Notes per $1,000 in principal amount. If the Notes are called prior to maturity, the hypothetical examples below will not be relevant, and you will receive on the applicable Coupon Payment Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, $1,000 plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due on the Notes.
Hypothetical Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index | Payment at Maturity as Percentage of Principal Amount | Cash Payment Amount per $1,000 in Principal Amount |
| 130.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 120.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 110.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 100.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 90.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 80.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 70.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 60.00 | 101.1875%* | $1,011.875* |
| 59.99 | 59.99% | $599.90 |
| 50.00 | 50.00% | $500.00 |
| 40.00 | 40.00% | $400.00 |
| 30.00 | 30.00% | $300.00 |
| 20.00 | 20.00% | $200.00 |
| 10.00 | 10.00% | $100.00 |
| 0.00 | 0.00% | $0.00 |
*Including the final Contingent Coupon, if payable.
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how the payments at maturity set forth in the table above are calculated, assuming the Notes have not been called.
Example 1: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index increases by 25% from the Initial Level to a Final Level of 125.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is greater than its Trigger Level and its Coupon Barrier, the investor receives at maturity, in addition to the final Contingent Coupon otherwise due on the Notes, a cash payment of $1,000 per Note, despite the 25% appreciation in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index.
Example 2: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index decreases by 10% from the Initial Level to a Final Level of 90.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is greater than its Trigger Level and its Coupon Barrier, the investor receives at maturity, in addition to the final Contingent Coupon otherwise due on the Notes, a cash payment of $1,000 per Note, despite the 10% decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index.
Example 3: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index decreases by 50% from the Initial Level to a Final Level of 50.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level and its Coupon Barrier, the final Contingent Coupon will not be payable on the Maturity Date, and we will pay only $500 for each $1,000 in the principal amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Underlying Return of the Lesser Performing Reference Index)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 x -50%) = $1,000 - $500 = $500
* * *
The Payments at Maturity shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on levels of the Reference Indices that may not be achieved on the Valuation Date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your Notes on the Maturity Date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your Notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical Payments at Maturity shown above, and those amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the Notes or on an investment in the securities included in any Reference Index.
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Indices. These risks are explained in more detail in the section “Risk Factors” in the product prospectus supplement. In addition to the risks described in the prospectus supplement and the product prospectus supplement, you should consider the following:
Risks Relating to the Terms of the Notes
| • | You May Receive Less than the Principal Amount at Maturity — Investors in the Notes could lose all or a substantial portion of their principal amount if there is a decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index between the Trade Date and the Valuation Date. If the Notes are not automatically called and the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Trigger Level, the amount of cash that you receive at maturity will represent a loss of your principal that is proportionate to the decline in the closing level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index from the Trade Date to the Valuation Date. Any Contingent Coupons received on the Notes prior to the Maturity Date may not be sufficient to compensate for any such loss. |
| • | The Notes Are Subject to an Automatic Call — If on any Observation Date, beginning in June 2022, the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level, then the Notes will be automatically called. If the Notes are automatically called, then, on the applicable Coupon Payment Date, for each $1,000 in principal amount, you will receive $1,000 plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due on the applicable Coupon Payment Date. You will not receive any Contingent Coupons after that payment. You may be unable to reinvest your proceeds from the automatic call in an investment with a return that is as high as the return on the Notes would have been if they had not been called. |
| • | You May Not Receive Any Contingent Coupons — We will not necessarily make any coupon payments on the Notes. If the closing level of any of the Reference Indices on an Observation Date is less than its Coupon Barrier, we will not pay you the Contingent Coupon applicable to that Observation Date. If the closing level of any of the Reference Indices is less than its Coupon Barrier on each of the Observation Dates and on the Valuation Date, we will not pay you any Contingent Coupons during the term of, and you will not receive a positive return on your Notes. Generally, this non-payment of the Contingent Coupon coincides with a period of greater risk of principal loss on your Notes. Accordingly, if we do not pay the Contingent Coupon on the Maturity Date, you will also incur a loss of principal, because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index will be less than its Trigger Level. |
| • | The Notes Are Linked to the Lesser Performing Reference Index, Even if the Other Reference Indices Perform Better — Your return on the Notes will be linked to the lesser performing of the Reference Indices. Even if the Final Levels of the other Reference Indices have increased compared to its Initial Level, or have experienced a decrease that is less than that of the Lesser Performing Reference Index, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Index, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Indices. |
| • | Your Payment on the Notes Will Be Determined by Reference to Each Reference Index Individually, Not to a Basket, and the Payment at Maturity Will Be Based on the Performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Index — The Payment at Maturity will be determined only by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Index, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Indices. The Notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk may be mitigated and diversified among each of the basket components. For example, in the case of notes linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. As a result, the depreciation of one basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of the other basket components, as scaled by the weighting of that basket component. However, in the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each of the Reference Indices would not be combined, and the depreciation of one Reference Index would not be mitigated by any appreciation of the other Reference Indices. Instead, your return will depend solely on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index. |
| • | The Call Feature and the Contingent Coupon Feature Limit Your Potential Return — The return potential of the Notes is limited to the pre-specified Contingent Coupon Rate, regardless of the appreciation of the Reference Indices. In addition, the total return on the Notes will vary based on the number of Observation Dates on which the |
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
Contingent Coupon becomes payable prior to maturity or an automatic call. Further, if the Notes are called due to the Call Feature, you will not receive any Contingent Coupons or any other payment in respect of any Observation Dates after the applicable Coupon Payment Date. Since the Notes could be called as early as the fourth Observation Date, the total return on the Notes could be limited to one year. If the Notes are not called, you may be subject to the full downside performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Index even though your potential return is limited to the Contingent Coupon Rate. As a result, the return on an investment in the Notes could be less than the return on a direct investment in securities included in the Reference Indices.
| • | Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity — The return that you will receive on the Notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Even if your return is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased one of our conventional senior interest bearing debt securities. |
| • | Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Securities Represented by the Reference Indices — The return on your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the securities represented by the Reference Indices. For instance, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions on those securities during the term of your Notes. As an owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the securities represented by the Reference Indices may have. Furthermore, the Reference Indices may appreciate substantially during the term of the Notes, while your potential return will be limited to the applicable Contingent Coupon payments. |
| • | Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk, and Changes in Our Credit Ratings Are Expected to Affect the Market Value of the Notes — The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of any Contingent Coupons, if payable, and the amount due on any relevant payment date is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations on the applicable payment dates. This will be the case even if the levels of the Reference Indices increase after the Trade Date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at any time during the term of the Notes. |
Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Notes
| • | There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes-Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses — There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM and our other affiliates may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do so. RBCCM or any other affiliate of ours may stop any market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the Notes develops, it may not provide significant liquidity or trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect that transaction costs in any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and asked prices for your Notes in any secondary market could be substantial. |
Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Notes
| • | The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value that will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the levels of the Reference Indices, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the underwriting discount and the estimated costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the underwriting discount and the hedging costs relating to the Notes. In addition to bid-ask spreads, the value of the Notes determined by RBCCM for any secondary market price is expected to be based on the secondary rate rather than the internal funding rate used to price the Notes and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary price will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity. |
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
| • | The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes that We Will Provide in the Final Pricing Supplement Will Be an Estimate Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the Notes Are Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes will be based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the Notes, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the Notes. See “Structuring the Notes” below. Our estimate will be based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do. |
The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade 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 Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest and Our Trading Activities
| • | Our Business Activities May Create Conflicts of Interest — We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Indices that are not for the account of holders of the Notes or on their behalf. These trading activities may present a conflict between the holders’ interests in the Notes and the interests we and our affiliates will have in their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including options and other derivatives transactions, for their customers and in accounts under their management. These trading activities, if they influence the levels of the Reference Indices, could be adverse to the interests of the holders of the Notes. We and one or more of our affiliates may, at present or in the future, engage in business with companies included in the Reference Indices, including making loans to or providing advisory services. These services could include investment banking and merger and acquisition advisory services. These activities may present a conflict between our or one or more of our affiliates’ obligations and your interests as a holder of the Notes. Moreover, we, and our affiliates may have published, and in the future expect to publish, research reports with respect to the Reference Indices. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes. Any of these activities by us or one or more of our affiliates may affect the levels of the Reference Indices, and therefore, the market value of the Notes. |
Risks Relating to the Reference Indices
| • | An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated in Investing in Stocks with a Small Market Capitalization — The Russell 2000® Index consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies. As a result, the level of the Russell 2000® Index may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also generally more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are often less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services. |
| • | An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Relating to Non-U.S. Securities Markets — Because foreign companies or foreign equity securities included in the SX5E are publicly traded in the applicable foreign countries and are denominated in euros, an investment in the Notes involves particular risks. For example, the non-U.S. securities markets may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect these markets differently from the U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the securities markets outside the U.S., as well as cross-shareholdings in certain companies, may affect trading prices and trading volumes in those markets. Also, the public availability of information concerning the foreign issuers may vary depending on their home jurisdiction and the reporting requirements imposed by their |
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respective regulators. In addition, the foreign issuers may be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
| • | The Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments — The payment at maturity, each Observation Date and the Valuation Date are subject to adjustment as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” in the product prospectus supplement. |
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE INDICES
All disclosures contained in this terms supplement regarding the Reference Indices, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in their components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the applicable index sponsor. Each of these sponsors has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the applicable Reference Index. The consequences of an index sponsor discontinuing publication of a Reference Index are discussed in the section of the product prospectus supplement entitled “General Terms of the Notes—Unavailability of the Level of a Reference Index.” Neither we nor RBCCM accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of any Reference Index or any successor index.
The SPX
The SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of price movements among U.S. large capitalization stocks. The calculation of the level of the SPX 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 by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX 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 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. 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 while a second listed share class line of the same company is excluded.
Computation of the SPX
While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the payments on the Notes.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX 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 halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the SPX.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX 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. 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 Reference Index. Constituents of the Reference Index prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines were grandfathered in and continue to be included in the Reference Index. If a constituent company of the Reference Index reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the Reference Index at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
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The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX 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 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, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX. The index divisor keeps the SPX comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX, 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, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the SPX from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX 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.
License Agreement
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of S&P. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The SPX is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the SPX to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the SPX is the licensing of the SPX and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The SPX is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the Notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the SPX. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the SPX will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the SPX. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Notes.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE SPX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE SPX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW
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JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
The RTY was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. Russell began dissemination of the RTY (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the RTY. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the Notes.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the RTY
All companies eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) (“ADDTV”) from all exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary country from which the company’s revenues are primarily derived for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country of its headquarters, which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices, unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country, in which case the company will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned. “N-shares” of companies controlled by individuals or entities in mainland China are not eligible for inclusion.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Initial public offerings are added each quarter and must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing stock does not trade on the “rank day” (typically the last trading day in May, but a confirmed timetable is announced each spring), but does have a closing price at or above $1.00 on another eligible U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the rank day in May for those securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests are used to determine market capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined to determine total shares outstanding. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business development companies), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded. Bulletin board, pink sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion.
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Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the rank day of May of each year, FTSE Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
License Agreement
FTSE Russell and Royal Bank have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to Royal Bank, and certain of its affiliates, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by FTSE Russell in connection with some securities, including the Notes.
FTSE Russell does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the RTY or any data included in the RTY and has no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions in the RTY. FTSE Russell makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the calculation agent, holders of the Notes, or any other person or entity from the use of the RTY or any data included in the RTY in connection with the rights licensed under the license agreement described in this document or for any other use. FTSE Russell makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the RTY or any data included in the RTY. Without limiting any of the above information, in no event will FTSE Russell have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, including lost profits, even if notified of the possibility of these damages.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the RTY to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell’s publication of the RTY in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the stocks upon which the RTY is based. FTSE Russell's only relationship to Royal Bank is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the RTY, which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to Royal Bank or the Notes. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Notes nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the RTY. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes.
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are registered trademarks of FTSE Russell in the U.S. and other countries.
EURO STOXX 50® Index (“SX5E”)
The SX5E was created by STOXX Limited, a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse AG. Publication of the SX5E in February 1998, based on an initial index level of 1,000 at December 31, 1991.
Composition and Maintenance
The SX5E is composed of 50 component stocks of market sector leaders from within the 20 EURO STOXX® Supersector indices, which represent the Eurozone portion of the STOXX Europe 600® Supersector indices.
The composition of the SX5E is reviewed annually, based on the closing stock data on the last trading day in August. The component stocks are announced on the first trading day in September. Changes to the component stocks are implemented on the third Friday in September and are effective the following trading day. Changes in the composition of the SX5E are made to ensure that the SX5E includes the 50 market sector leaders from within the Eurozone.
The free float factors for each component stock used to calculate this Reference Asset, as described below, are reviewed, calculated, and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review.
The SX5E is also reviewed on an ongoing monthly basis. Corporate actions (including initial public offerings, mergers and takeovers, spin-offs, delistings, and bankruptcy) that affect the SX5E composition are announced immediately, implemented two trading days later and become effective on the next trading day after implementation.
Calculation of the SX5E
The SX5E is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the SX5E value can be expressed as follows:
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SX5E = | Free float market capitalization of the SX5E |
| Divisor |
The “free float market capitalization of the SX5E” is equal to the sum of the products of the price, the number of shares, the free float factor and the weighting cap factor for each component stock as of the time the SX5E is being calculated.
The SX5E is also subject to a divisor, which is adjusted to maintain the continuity of the SX5E values across changes due to corporate actions, such as the deletion and addition of stocks, the substitution of stocks, stock dividends, and stock splits.
License Agreement
We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with STOXX providing for the license to us and certain of our affiliated or subsidiary companies, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by STOXX (including the SX5E) in connection with certain securities, including the Notes offered hereby.
The license agreement between us and STOXX requires that the following language be stated in this document:
STOXX has no relationship to us, other than the licensing of the SX5E and the related trademarks for use in connection with the Notes. STOXX does not:
| • | sponsor, endorse, sell, or promote the Notes; |
| • | recommend that any person invest in the Notes offered hereby or any other securities; |
| • | have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount, or pricing of the Notes; |
| • | have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management, or marketing of the Notes; or |
| • | consider the needs of the Notes or the holders of the Notes in determining, composing, or calculating the SX5E, or have any obligation to do so. |
STOXX will not have any liability in connection with the Notes. Specifically:
| • | STOXX does not make any warranty, express or implied, and disclaims any and all warranty concerning: |
| • | the results to be obtained by the Notes, the holders of the Notes or any other person in connection with the use of the SX5E and the data included in the SX5E; |
| • | the accuracy or completeness of the SX5E and its data; |
| • | the merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the SX5E and its data; |
| • | STOXX will have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions in the SX5E or its data; and |
| • | Under no circumstances will STOXX be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX knows that they might occur. |
The licensing agreement between us and STOXX is solely for their benefit and our benefit, and not for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or any other third parties.
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HISTORICAL INFORMATION
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the Reference Indices in the graphs below from Bloomberg Financial Markets.
We have not independently investigated the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets. The historical performance of the Reference Indices should not be taken as an indication of their future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Final Level of any Reference Index. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of any of the Reference Indices will not result in the loss of all or a portion of your investment in the Notes.
Historical Information for the SPX
The graph below illustrates the performance of this Reference Index from January 1, 2011 to June 24, 2021. The closing level of this Reference Index on June 24, 2021 was 4,266.49. The red line represents a hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level of 2,559.89, which is equal to 60% of its closing level on June 24, 2021, rounded to two decimal places. The actual Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level will be based on the closing level of this Reference Index on the Trade Date.
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Historical Information for the RTY
The graph below illustrates the performance of this Reference Index from January 1, 2011 to June 24, 2021. The closing level of this Reference Index on June 24, 2021 was 2,333.622. The red line represents a hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level of 1,400.173, which is equal to 60% of its closing level on June 24, 2021, rounded to three decimal places. The actual Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level will be based on the closing level of this Reference Index on the Trade Date.
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Historical Information for the SX5E
The graph below illustrates the performance of this Reference Index from January 1, 2011 to June 24, 2021. The closing level of this Reference Index on June 24, 2021 was 4,122.43. The red line represents a hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level of 2,473.46, which is equal to 60% of its closing level on June 24, 2021, rounded to two decimal places. The actual Coupon Barrier and Trigger Level will be based on the closing level of this Reference Index on the Trade Date.
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following disclosure supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product prospectus supplement under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
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, 2023. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting a Reference Index or the Notes (for example, upon a Reference Index rebalancing) and following such occurrence the Notes 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 a Reference Index or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes 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.
The accompanying product prospectus supplement notes that FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the Notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. That discussion is modified to reflect regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department that eliminate the requirement of FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds upon the disposition of financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the Notes.
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about June 30, 2021, which is the second (2nd) business day following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”).
In the initial offering of the Notes, they will be offered to investors at a purchase price equal to par, except with respect to certain accounts as indicated on the cover page of this document.
See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus. For additional information as to the relationship between us and RBCCM, please see the section “Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interest” in the prospectus.
The value of the Notes shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the Notes if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the Notes (which it is not obligated to do). That estimate will be based upon the price that RBCCM may pay for the Notes in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For a period of approximately 9 months after the issue date of the Notes, the value of the Notes that may be shown on your account statement may be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the Notes at that time. This is because the estimated value of the Notes will not include the underwriting discount and our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the Notes shown on your account statement during that period may be a higher amount, reflecting the addition of RBCCM’s underwriting discount and our estimated costs and profits from hedging the Notes. This excess is expected to decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your Notes, it expects to do so at prices that reflect their estimated value.
We may use this terms supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, RBCCM or another of our affiliates may use this terms supplement in a market-making transaction in the Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this terms supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.
Each of RBCCM and any other broker-dealer offering the Notes have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the Notes to, any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or in the United Kingdom. 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 Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Notes, 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 Directive (EU) 2016/97, 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 Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or the United Kingdom has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Auto-Callable Contingent Coupon Barrier Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Three Equity Indices Royal Bank of Canada |
STRUCTURING THE NOTES
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Indices. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our structured notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these Notes 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. Using this relatively lower implied borrowing rate rather than the secondary market rate, is a factor that is likely to reduce the initial estimated value of the Notes at the time their terms are set. Unlike the estimated value that will be included in the final pricing supplement, any value of the Notes determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a different funding rate, which may result in a lower value for the Notes than if our initial internal funding rate were used.
In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) on the issue date with RBCCM or one of our other subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Reference Indices, and the tenor of the Notes. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
The lower implied borrowing rate is a factor that reduces the economic terms of the Notes to you. The initial offering price of the Notes also reflects the underwriting commission and our estimated hedging costs. These factors result in the initial estimated value for the Notes on the Trade Date being less than their public offering price. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public” above.