CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of Each Class of Securities Offered | Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Amount of Registration Fee(1) |
| Medium-Term Notes, Series B | $650,000.00 | $70.92 |
(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 | PRICING SUPPLEMENT Dated September 24, 2021 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement No. 333-253432 (To Prospectus dated February 24, 2021 and Product Supplement dated February 24, 2021) |
UBS AG $650,000 Trigger Autocallable Contingent Yield Notes
Linked to the least performing of the shares of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, the shares of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the shares of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund due September 29, 2026
Investment Description
UBS AG Trigger Autocallable Contingent Yield Notes (the “Notes”) are unsubordinated, unsecured debt obligations issued by UBS AG (“UBS” or the “issuer”) linked to the least performing of the shares of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, the shares of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the shares of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund (each an “underlying asset” and together the “underlying assets”). We also refer to an exchange-traded fund as an “ETF”. If the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on an observation date (including the final valuation date), UBS will pay you a contingent coupon on the related coupon payment date. If the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its coupon barrier on an observation date, no contingent coupon will be paid for the related coupon payment date. UBS will automatically call the Notes early if the closing level of each underlying asset on any observation date (beginning after 6 months) prior to the final valuation date is equal to or greater than its call threshold level, which is a level of each underlying asset equal to a percentage of its initial level, as indicated below. If the Notes are subject to an automatic call, UBS will pay you on the coupon payment date corresponding to such observation date (the “call settlement date”) a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount plus any contingent coupon otherwise due, and no further payments will be made on the Notes. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its downside threshold, at maturity, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount, in addition to any contingent coupon otherwise due with respect to the final valuation date. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, at maturity, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note that is less than the principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss on your initial investment equal to the percentage decline in the closing level of the underlying asset with the lowest underlying return (the “least performing underlying asset”) from its initial level to its final level over the term of the Notes and, in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. Investing in the Notes involves significant risks. You will lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment if the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold. You may not receive some or all of the contingent coupons during the term of the Notes. You will be exposed to the market risk of each underlying asset on each observation date, including the final valuation date, and any decline in the level of one underlying asset may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a lesser decline or any potential increase in the level of any other underlying asset. Higher contingent coupon rates are generally associated with a greater risk of loss. The contingent repayment of principal only applies if you hold the Notes until the maturity date. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Notes and you could lose all of your initial investment.
Features
| q | Potential for Periodic Contingent Coupons — UBS will pay a contingent coupon on the related coupon payment date if the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on an observation date (including the final valuation date). Otherwise, if the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its coupon barrier on an observation date, no contingent coupon will be paid for the related coupon payment date. |
| q | Automatic Call Feature — UBS will automatically call the Notes and pay you the principal amount of your Notes plus any contingent coupon otherwise due on the related coupon payment date if the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its call threshold level on any observation date (beginning after 6 months) prior to the final valuation date. If the Notes were previously subject to an automatic call, no further payments will be owed to you on the Notes. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call, investors will have the potential for downside market risk at maturity. |
| q | Contingent Repayment of Principal Amount at Maturity with Potential for Full Downside Market Exposure — If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its downside threshold, at maturity, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount, in addition to any contingent coupon otherwise due with respect to the final valuation date. If, however, the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, at maturity, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note that is less than the principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss on your initial investment that is equal to the negative return of the least performing underlying asset over the term of the Notes and, in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. The contingent repayment of principal applies only if you hold the Notes until the maturity date. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. |
Key Dates
| Trade Date* | September 24, 2021 | |
| Settlement Date* | September 29, 2021 | |
| Observation Dates** | Quarterly (callable after 6 months) (see page 4) | |
| Final Valuation Date** | September 24, 2026 | |
| Maturity Date** | September 29, 2026 | |
| * | We expect to deliver the Notes against payment on the third business day following the trade date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days (T+2), unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes in the secondary market on any date prior to two business days before delivery of the Notes will be required, by virtue of the fact that each Note initially will settle in three business days (T+ 3), to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement of the secondary market trade. | |
| ** | Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event, as described in the accompanying product supplement. | |
Notice to investors: the Notes are significantly riskier than conventional debt instruments. The issuer is not necessarily obligated to repay all of your initial investment in the Notes at maturity, and the Notes may have the same downside market risk as that of the least performing underlying asset. This market risk is in addition to the credit risk inherent in purchasing a debt obligation of UBS. You should not purchase the Notes if you do not understand or are not comfortable with the significant risks involved in investing in the Notes.
You should carefully consider the risks described under “Key Risks” beginning on page 5 and under “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 of the accompanying product supplement. Events relating to any of those risks, or other risks and uncertainties, could adversely affect the market value of, and the return on, your Notes. You may lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment in the Notes. The Notes will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network.
Note Offering
| Underlying Assets | Bloomberg Tickers | Contingent Coupon Rate | Initial Levels | Call Threshold Levels | Downside Thresholds | Coupon Barriers | CUSIP | ISIN |
| Shares of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF | XBI | 8.75% per annum | $130.37 | $130.37, which is 100.00% of its Initial Level | $91.26, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level | $91.26, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level | 90279DHL3 | US90279DHL38 |
| Shares of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund | XLI | $100.85 | $100.85, which is 100.00% of its Initial Level | $70.60, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level | $70.60, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level | |||
| Shares of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund | XLK | $156.71 | $156.71, which is 100.00% of its Initial Level | $109.70, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level | $109.70, which is 70.00% of its Initial Level |
The estimated initial value of the Notes as of the trade date is $938.10. The estimated initial value of the Notes was determined as of the close of the relevant markets on the date hereof by reference to UBS’ internal pricing models, inclusive of the internal funding rate. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the Notes, see “Key Risks — Estimated Value Considerations” and “— Risks Relating to Liquidity and Secondary Market Price Considerations” beginning on page 8 herein.
See “Additional Information about UBS and the Notes” on page ii. The Notes will have the terms set forth in the accompanying product supplement relating to the Notes, dated February 24, 2021, the accompanying prospectus dated February 24, 2021 and this document.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these Notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document, the accompanying product supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Notes are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
| Offering of Notes | Issue Price to Public(1) | Underwriting Discount(1)(2) | Proceeds to UBS AG(2) | |||
| Total | Per Note | Total | Per Note | Total | Per Note | |
| Notes linked to the least performing of the shares of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, the shares of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the shares of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund | $650,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $26,000.00 | $40.00 | $624,000.00 | $960.00 |
(1) Notwithstanding the underwriting discount received by one or more third-party dealers from UBS Securities LLC described below, certain registered investment advisers or fee-based advisory accounts unaffiliated from UBS may have agreed to purchase Notes from a third-party dealer at a purchase price of at least $960.00 per Note, and such third-party dealer, with respect to such sales, may have agreed to forgo some or all of the underwriting discount.
(2) Our affiliate, UBS Securities LLC, will receive an underwriting discount of $40.00 per Note sold in this offering. UBS Securities LLC has agreed to re-allow the full amount of this discount to one or more third-party dealers. Certain of such third-party dealers may resell the Notes to other securities dealers at the issue price to the public less an underwriting discount of up to the underwriting discount indicated in the above table.
| UBS Securities LLC | UBS Investment Bank |
Additional Information about UBS and the Notes
| UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by a product supplement for the Notes) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for the Notes to which this document relates. You should read these documents and any other documents relating to the Notes that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and the Notes. You may obtain these documents for free from the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 0001114446. | |
| You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows: | |
| ¨ | Market-Linked Securities product supplement dated February 24, 2021: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000091412121001042/ub55766407-424b2.htm |
| ¨ | Prospectus dated February 24, 2021: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000119312521054082/d138688d424b3.htm |
| References to “UBS”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer only to UBS AG and not to its consolidated subsidiaries and references to the “Trigger Autocallable Contingent Yield Notes” or the “Notes” refer to the Notes that are offered hereby. Also, references to the “accompanying product supplement” or “Market-Linked Securities product supplement” mean the UBS product supplement, dated February 24, 2021 and references to the “accompanying prospectus” mean the UBS prospectus, titled “Debt Securities and Warrants”, dated February 24, 2021. | |
| This document, together with the documents listed above, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including all other prior 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 “Key Risks” herein and in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors concerning an investment in the Notes. | |
| If there is any inconsistency between the terms of the Notes described in the accompanying prospectus, the accompanying product supplement and this document, the following hierarchy will govern: first, this document; second, the accompanying product supplement; and last, the accompanying prospectus. | |
| UBS reserves the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the Notes, UBS will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case UBS may reject your offer to purchase. | |
| ii |
Investor Suitability
The Notes may be suitable for you if:
| ¨ | You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | You understand and accept that an investment in the Notes is linked to the performance of the least performing underlying asset and not a basket of the underlying assets, that you will be exposed to the individual market risk of each underlying asset on each observation date, including the final valuation date, and that you may lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment if the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold. |
| ¨ | You can tolerate a loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment and are willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as an investment in the least performing underlying asset or the stocks and other assets comprising the least performing underlying asset (its “underlying constituents”). |
| ¨ | You are willing to receive few or no contingent coupons and believe that the closing level of each underlying asset will be equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on each observation date and that the final level of each underlying asset will be equal to or greater than its downside threshold. |
| ¨ | You understand and accept that you will not participate in any appreciation in the level of any of the underlying assets and that your potential return is limited to any contingent coupons. |
| ¨ | You can tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the levels of the underlying assets. |
| ¨ | You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the contingent coupon rate specified on the cover hereof. |
| ¨ | You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the call threshold levels, downside thresholds and coupon barriers specified on the cover hereof. |
| ¨ | You do not seek guaranteed current income from your investment and are willing to forgo any dividends paid on the underlying assets and the underlying constituents. |
| ¨ | You are willing to invest in Notes that may be subject to an automatic call and you are otherwise willing to hold such Notes to maturity and accept that there may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. |
| ¨ | You understand and are willing to accept the risks associated with the underlying assets. |
| ¨ | You are willing to assume the credit risk of UBS for all payments under the Notes, and understand that if UBS defaults on its obligations you may not receive any payments due to you including any repayment of principal. |
| ¨ | You understand that the estimated initial value of the Notes determined by our internal pricing models is lower than the issue price and that should UBS Securities LLC or any affiliate make secondary markets for the Notes, the price (not including their customary bid-ask spreads) will temporarily exceed the internal pricing model price. |
The Notes may not be suitable for you if:
| ¨ | You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | You do not understand or are unwilling to accept that an investment in the Notes is linked to the performance of the least performing underlying asset and not a basket of the underlying assets, that you will be exposed to the individual market risk of each underlying asset on each observation date, including the final valuation date, or that you may lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment if the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold. |
| ¨ | You are not willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as an investment in the least performing underlying asset or its underlying constituents. |
| ¨ | You are unwilling to receive few or no contingent coupons during the term of the Notes or believe that the closing level of at least one of the underlying assets will decline during the term of the Notes and is likely to be less than its coupon barrier on each observation date or that the final level of any underlying asset will be less than its downside threshold. |
| ¨ | You seek an investment that participates in the appreciation in the levels of the underlying assets or that has unlimited return potential. |
| ¨ | You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the levels of the underlying assets. |
| ¨ | You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the contingent coupon rate specified on the cover hereof. |
| ¨ | You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the call threshold levels, downside thresholds or coupon barriers specified on the cover hereof. |
| ¨ | You seek guaranteed current income from your investment or prefer to receive any dividends paid on the underlying assets or the underlying constituents. |
| ¨ | You are unable or unwilling to hold Notes that may be subject to an automatic call, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold such Notes to maturity or you seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market. |
| ¨ | You do not understand or are unwilling to accept the risks associated with the underlying assets. |
| ¨ | You are not willing to assume the credit risk of UBS for all payments under the Notes, including any repayment of principal. |
The suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the Notes are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances. You are urged to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors and carefully consider the suitability of an investment in the Notes in light of your particular circumstances. You should review “Information About the Underlying Assets” herein for more information on the underlying assets. You should also review carefully the “Key Risks” section herein for risks related to an investment in the Notes.
| 1 |
Final Terms
| Issuer | UBS AG London Branch | |
| Principal Amount | $1,000 per Note | |
| Term | Approximately 5 years, unless subject to an automatic call. | |
| Underlying Assets | The shares of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, the shares of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the shares of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund | |
| Contingent Coupon & Contingent Coupon Rate | If the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on any observation date (including the final valuation date), UBS will pay you the contingent coupon applicable to that observation date on the relevant coupon payment date. If the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its coupon barrier on any observation date (including the final valuation date), the contingent coupon applicable to that observation date will not accrue or be payable and UBS will not make any payment to you on the relevant coupon payment date. The contingent coupon is a fixed amount based upon equal periodic installments at a per annum rate (the “contingent coupon rate”). The table below sets forth the contingent coupon rate and contingent coupon for each Note that would be applicable to each observation date on which the above conditions are satisfied. | |
| Contingent Coupon Rate | 8.75% per annum | |
| Contingent Coupon | $21.875 | |
| Contingent coupons on the Notes are not guaranteed. UBS will not pay you the contingent coupon for any observation date on which the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its coupon barrier. | ||
| Automatic Call Feature | UBS will automatically call the Notes if the closing level of each underlying asset on any observation date (beginning after 6 months) other than the final valuation date is equal to or greater than its call threshold level. If the Notes are subject to an automatic call, UBS will pay you on the corresponding coupon payment date (the “call settlement date”) a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount plus any contingent coupon otherwise due (the “call settlement amount”). Following an automatic call, no further payments will be made on the Notes. |
| Payment at Maturity (per Note) | If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment equal to: Principal Amount of $1,000 If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment that is less than the principal amount, if anything, equal to: $1,000 x (1 + Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying Asset) In this scenario, you will suffer a percentage loss on your initial investment equal to the underlying return of the least performing underlying asset, regardless of the underlying return of any other underlying asset and, in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. |
| Underlying Return | With respect to each underlying asset, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, of the following formula: Final Level – Initial Level |
| Least Performing Underlying Asset | The underlying asset with the lowest underlying return as compared to any other underlying asset. |
| Call Threshold Level(1) | A specified level of each underlying asset that is equal to a percentage of its initial level, as specified on the cover hereof. |
| Downside Threshold(1) | A specified level of each underlying asset that is less than its respective initial level, equal to a percentage of its initial level, as specified on the cover hereof. |
| Coupon Barrier(1) | A specified level of each underlying asset that is less than its respective initial level, equal to a percentage of its initial level, as specified on the cover hereof. |
| Initial Level(1) | The closing level of each underlying asset on the trade date, as specified on the cover hereof. |
| Final Level(1) | The closing level of each underlying asset on the final valuation date. |
(1) As determined by the calculation agent and as may be adjusted in the case of certain adjustment events as described under “General Terms of the Securities — Antidilution Adjustments for Securities Linked to an Underlying Equity or Equity Basket Asset” and “— Reorganization Events for Securities Linked to an Underlying Equity or Equity Basket Asset” and “— Delisting, Discontinuance or Modification of an ETF” in the accompanying product supplement.
| 2 |
Investment Timeline
| Trade Date | The initial level of each underlying asset is observed and the final terms of the Notes are set. | ||
| ¯ | |||
| Observation Dates (Quarterly, callable beginning after 6 months) | If the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on any observation date (including the final valuation date), UBS will pay you a contingent coupon on the corresponding coupon payment date. The Notes will be subject to an automatic call if the closing level of each underlying asset on any observation date (beginning after 6 months) other than the final valuation date is equal to or greater than its call threshold level. If the Notes are subject to an automatic call, UBS will pay you on the call settlement date a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount plus any contingent coupon otherwise due. Following an automatic call, no further payments will be made on the Notes. | ||
| ¯ | |||
| Maturity Date | The final level of each underlying asset is observed on the final valuation date, the underlying return of each underlying asset is calculated and the Least Performing Underlying Asset is determined. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note equal to: Principal Amount of $1,000 If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note that is less than the principal amount, if anything, equal to: $1,000 x (1 + Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying Asset) In this scenario, you will suffer a percentage loss on your initial investment equal to the underlying return of the least performing underlying asset, regardless of the underlying return of any other underlying asset and, in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. |
Investing in the Notes involves significant risks. You may lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Notes and you could lose all of your initial investment.
You will lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment if the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold. You may not receive any contingent coupons during the term of the Notes. You will be exposed to the market risk of each underlying asset on each observation date (including the final valuation date) and any decline in the level of one underlying asset may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a lesser decline or any potential increase in the level of any other underlying asset.
| 3 |
Observation Dates(1) and Coupon Payment Dates(1)(2)
| Observation Dates | Coupon Payment Dates |
| December 27, 2021* | December 30, 2021* |
| March 24, 2022* | March 29, 2022 |
| June 24, 2022 | June 29, 2022 |
| September 26, 2022 | September 29, 2022 |
| December 27, 2022 | December 30, 2022 |
| March 24, 2023 | March 29, 2023 |
| June 26, 2023 | June 29, 2023 |
| September 25, 2023 | September 28, 2023 |
| December 26, 2023 | December 29, 2023 |
| March 25, 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
| June 24, 2024 | June 27, 2024 |
| September 24, 2024 | September 27, 2024 |
| December 24, 2024 | December 30, 2024 |
| March 24, 2025 | March 27, 2025 |
| June 24, 2025 | June 27, 2025 |
| September 24, 2025 | September 29, 2025 |
| December 24, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
| March 24, 2026 | March 27, 2026 |
| June 24, 2026 | June 29, 2026 |
| Final Valuation Date | Maturity Date |
| * | The Notes are not callable until the first potential call settlement date, which is March 29, 2022. |
| (1) | Subject to the market disruption event provisions set forth in the accompanying product supplement. |
| (2) | Three business day(s) following each observation date, except that the coupon payment date for the final valuation date is the maturity date. |
| 4 |
Key Risks
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to a hypothetical investment in the least performing underlying asset. Some of the key risks that apply to the Notes are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the Notes in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors concerning an investment in the Notes.
Risks Relating to Return Characteristics
| ¨ | Risk of loss at maturity — The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that UBS will not necessarily make periodic coupon payments or repay the full principal amount of the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, you will lose a percentage of your principal amount equal to the underlying return of the least performing underlying asset and in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | The stated payout from the issuer applies only if you hold your Notes to maturity — You should be willing to hold your Notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your Notes prior to an automatic call or maturity in the secondary market, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the level of each underlying asset at such time is equal to or greater than its downside threshold. All payments on the Notes are subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. |
| ¨ | You may not receive any contingent coupons with respect to your Notes — UBS will not necessarily make periodic coupon payments on the Notes. If the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its respective coupon barrier on an observation date, UBS will not pay you the contingent coupon applicable to such observation date. This will be the case even if the closing level of each other underlying asset is equal to or greater than its respective coupon barrier on that observation date. If the closing level of any underlying asset is less than its coupon barrier on each observation date, UBS 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. |
| ¨ | Your potential return on the Notes is limited to any contingent coupons, you will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying asset or underlying constituents and you will not receive dividend payments on any underlying asset or have the same rights as holders of any underlying asset or underlying constituents — The return potential of the Notes is limited to the pre-specified contingent coupon rate, regardless of the appreciation of the underlying assets. In addition, your return on the Notes will vary based on the number of observation dates, if any, on which the requirements of the contingent coupon have been met prior to maturity or an automatic call. Because the Notes may be subject to an automatic call as early as the first potential call settlement date, the total return on the Notes could be less than if the Notes remained outstanding until maturity. Further, if the Notes are subject to an automatic call, you will not receive any contingent coupons or any other payment in respect of any coupon payment date after the call settlement date, and your return on the Notes could be less than if the Notes remained outstanding until maturity. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call, you may be subject to the decline of the least performing underlying asset even though you cannot participate in any appreciation in the level of any underlying asset. As a result, the return on an investment in the Notes could be less than the return on a hypothetical investment in any or all of the underlying assets or underlying constituents. In addition, as an owner of the Notes, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions on any underlying asset during the term of the Notes, and any such dividends or distributions will not be factored into the calculation of any payments on your Notes. Similarly, you will not have voting rights or any other rights of a holder of any underlying asset or underlying constituents. |
| ¨ | A higher contingent coupon rate or lower downside thresholds or coupon barriers may reflect greater expected volatility of each of the underlying assets, and greater expected volatility generally indicates an increased risk of loss at maturity — The economic terms for the Notes, including the contingent coupon rate, coupon barriers and downside thresholds, are based, in part, on the expected volatility of each underlying asset at the time the terms of the Notes are set. “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of each underlying asset. The greater the expected volatility of each of the underlying assets as of the trade date, the greater the expectation is as of that date that the closing level of an underlying asset could be less than its respective coupon barrier on the observation dates and that the final level of an underlying asset could be less than its respective downside threshold and, as a consequence, indicates an increased risk of not receiving a contingent coupon and an increased risk of loss, respectively. All things being equal, this greater expected volatility will generally be reflected in a higher contingent coupon rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity or on otherwise comparable securities, and/or lower downside thresholds and/or coupon barriers than those terms on otherwise comparable securities. Therefore, a relatively higher contingent coupon rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, relatively lower downside thresholds and/or coupon barriers may not necessarily indicate that the Notes have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity and/or paying contingent coupons. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the least performing underlying asset and the potential to lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | Reinvestment risk — The Notes will be subject to an automatic call if the closing level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its call threshold level on certain observation dates prior to the final valuation date, as set forth under “Observation Dates and Coupon Payment Dates“ herein. Because the Notes could be subject to an automatic call as early as the first potential call settlement date, the term of your investment may be limited. In the event that the Notes are subject to an automatic call, there is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds at a comparable rate of return and/or with a comparable contingent coupon rate for a similar level of risk. In addition, to the extent you are able to reinvest such proceeds in an investment comparable to the Notes, you may incur transaction costs such as dealer discounts and hedging costs built into the price of the new securities. Generally, however, the longer the Notes remain outstanding, the less likely the Notes will be subject to an automatic call due to the decline in the level of one or more underlying assets and the shorter time remaining for the level of each such underlying asset to recover. Such periods generally coincide with a period of greater risk of principal loss on your Notes. |
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Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Underlying Assets
| ¨ | You are exposed to the market risk of each underlying asset — Your return on the Notes is not linked to a basket consisting of the underlying assets. Rather, it will be contingent upon the performance of each individual underlying asset. Unlike an instrument with a return linked to a basket of assets, in which risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of the basket, you will be exposed equally to the risks related to each underlying asset. Poor performance by any one of the underlying assets over the term of the Notes will negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a positive performance by any other underlying asset. For instance, you may receive a negative return equal to the underlying return of the least performing underlying asset if the final level of one underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, even if the underlying return of each other underlying asset is positive or has not declined as much. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the market risk of each underlying asset. |
| ¨ | Because the Notes are linked to the least performing underlying asset, you are exposed to a greater risk of no contingent coupons and losing a significant portion or all of your initial investment at maturity than if the Notes were linked to a single underlying asset or fewer underlying assets — The risk that you will not receive any contingent coupons and lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment in the Notes is greater if you invest in the Notes than the risk of investing in substantially similar securities that are linked to the performance of only one underlying asset or to fewer underlying assets. With more underlying assets, it is more likely that the closing level of an underlying asset will be less than its coupon barrier on any observation date or that the final level of an underlying asset will be less than its downside threshold than if the Notes were linked to a single underlying asset or fewer underlying assets. In addition, the lower the correlation between a pair of underlying assets, the greater the likelihood that one of the underlying assets will decline to a closing level that is less than its coupon barrier on any observation date or a final level that is less than its downside threshold. Although the correlation of the underlying assets’ performance may change over the term of the Notes, the economic terms of the Notes, including the contingent coupon rate, downside thresholds and coupon barriers are determined, in part, based on the correlation of the underlying assets’ performance calculated using our internal models at the time when the terms of the Notes are finalized. All things being equal, a higher contingent coupon rate and lower downside thresholds and coupon barriers are generally associated with lower correlation of the underlying assets. Therefore, if the performance of a pair of underlying assets is not correlated to each other or is negatively correlated, the risk that you will not receive any contingent coupons or that the final level of any underlying asset will be less than its downside threshold is even greater despite lower coupon barriers and downside thresholds, respectively. With three underlying assets, it is more likely that the performance of one pair of underlying assets will not be correlated, or will be negatively correlated. Therefore, it is more likely that you will not receive any contingent coupons, that the final level of any underlying asset will be less than its downside threshold and that you will lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment at maturity. |
| ¨ | Market risk — The return on the Notes, which may be negative, is directly linked to the performance of the underlying assets and indirectly linked to the performance of the underlying constituents and their issuers (the “underlying constituent issuers”). The levels of the underlying assets can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to each underlying asset or its underlying constituents, such as stock or commodity price volatility, earnings, financial conditions, corporate, industry and regulatory developments, management changes and decisions and other events, as well as general market factors, such as general stock and commodity market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic, political and other conditions. Recently, the coronavirus infection has caused volatility in the global financial markets and a slowdown in the global economy. Coronavirus or any other communicable disease or infection may adversely affect the underlying constituent issuers and, therefore, the underlying assets. You, as an investor in the Notes, should conduct your own investigation into the investment adviser of each underlying asset (each, an “underlying asset issuer”) and the underlying assets for your Notes. For additional information regarding the underlying assets and the underlying asset issuers, please see “Information About the Underlying Assets” herein and the underlying asset issuers' SEC filings referred to in that section. We urge you to review financial and other information filed periodically by the underlying asset issuers with the SEC. |
| ¨ | There can be no assurance that the investment view implicit in the Notes will be successful — It is impossible to predict whether and the extent to which the levels of the underlying assets will rise or fall. There can be no assurance that the closing level of each underlying asset will be equal to or greater than its coupon barrier on each observation date or, if the Notes are not subject to an automatic call, that the final level of each underlying asset will be equal to or greater than its downside threshold. The levels of the underlying assets will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the underlying constituent issuers. You should be willing to accept the downside risks of owning equities in general and the underlying assets in particular, and the risk of losing a significant portion or all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | The value of an underlying asset may not completely track the value of its underlying constituents — Although the trading characteristics and valuations of an ETF will usually mirror the characteristics and valuations of its underlying constituents, the level of an ETF may not completely track the value of its underlying constituents. The level of each underlying asset will reflect transaction costs and fees that the underlying constituents in which an ETF invests do not have. In addition, although an ETF may be currently listed for trading on an exchange, there is no assurance that an active trading market will continue for an ETF or that there will be liquidity in the trading market. |
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| ¨ | Fluctuation of NAV — The net asset value (the “NAV”) of an ETF may fluctuate with changes in the market value of its underlying constituents. The market prices of an ETF may fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV and supply and demand on the applicable stock exchanges. In addition, the market price of an ETF may differ from its NAV per share; an ETF may trade at, above or below its NAV per share, meaning the level of each underlying asset may not reflect its NAV. |
| ¨ | There is no affiliation between the underlying asset issuers or any underlying constituent issuer and UBS, and UBS is not responsible for any disclosure by such issuers — We are not affiliated with the underlying asset issuers or any underlying constituent issuer. We and our affiliates may currently, or from time to time in the future engage in business with the underlying asset issuers or any underlying constituent issuer. However, we are not affiliated with the underlying asset issuers or any underlying constituent issuer and are not responsible for such issuers' public disclosure of information, whether contained in SEC filings or otherwise. You, as an investor in the Notes, should conduct your own investigation into the underlying assets, underlying constituents, the underlying asset issuers or any underlying constituent issuer. Neither the underlying asset issuers nor any underlying constituent issuer are involved in the Notes offered hereby in any way and have no obligation of any sort with respect to your Notes. Neither the underlying asset issuers nor any underlying constituent issuer have any obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including when taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of, or return on, your Notes. |
| ¨ | Failure of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund to track the level of its target index — While the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund is designed and intended to track the level of a specific index as specified herein (its “target index”), various factors, including fees and other transaction costs, will prevent an ETF from correlating exactly with changes in the level of its target index. Additionally, although the performance of an ETF seeks to replicate the performance of its target index, an ETF may not invest in all the securities, futures contracts or commodities comprising its target index but rather may invest in a representative sample of the assets comprising its target index. ETFs, including the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund, are therefore subject to the risk that the investment strategy selected by its investment advisor does not successfully track the level of its target index, as discussed further herein. Accordingly, the performance of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund will not be equal to the performance of its target index during the term of the Notes. |
| ¨ | The SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund utilizes a passive indexing investment approach — The SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund is not managed according to traditional methods of “active” investment management, which involve the buying and selling of securities based on economic, financial and market analysis and investment judgment. Instead, the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund, utilizing a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of its target index by investing in a portfolio of stocks that generally replicate or provide a representative sample of such target index. Therefore, unless a specific underlying constituent is removed from its target index, the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund generally would not sell a security because the issuer of such underlying constituent (its “underlying constituent issuer”) was in financial trouble. In addition, the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund is subject to the risk that the investment strategy of its investment advisor may not produce the intended results. |
| ¨ | The Notes are subject to risks associated with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries — The Notes are subject to risks associated with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries because all or substantially all of the underlying constituents of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Companies in the pharmaceuticals industry may be affected by industry competition, dependencies on a limited number of products, obsolescence of products, government approvals and regulations, loss or impairment of intellectual property rights and litigation regarding product liability. Biotechnology companies face intense competition and the potential for rapid product obsolescence and may be adversely affected by the loss or impairment of intellectual property rights or changes in government regulations. Because the underlying constituents of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF are concentrated in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, the Notes may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by a single economic, environmental, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these industries than an investment linked to a more broadly diversified group of securities. |
| ¨ | The Notes are subject to risks associated with the industrial sector — The Notes are subject to risks associated with the industrial sector because the Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund is comprised of the stocks of companies in the industrial sector. The Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund has assets concentrated in the industrial sector, which means that it will be more affected by the performance of the industrial sector than a fund that was more diversified. Industrial companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrial sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on U.S. and non-U.S. government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies which are typically under pressure from efforts to control the U.S. (and other) government budgets. Transportation securities, a component of the industrial sector, are cyclical and have occasional sharp price movements which may result from changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor agreements and insurance costs. |
| ¨ | The Notes are subject to risks associated with the technology sector — The Notes are subject to risks associated with the technology sector because the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund is comprised of the stocks of companies in the technology sector. All or substantially all of the underlying constituents included in the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the technology sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a major effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of technology |
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| companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from non-U.S. competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability. Additionally, companies in the technology sector may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. |
Estimated Value Considerations
| ¨ | The issue price you pay for the Notes exceeds their estimated initial value — The issue price you pay for the Notes exceeds their estimated initial value as of the trade date due to the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance and other costs and projected profits. As of the close of the relevant markets on the trade date, we have determined the estimated initial value of the Notes by reference to our internal pricing models and it is set forth in this pricing supplement. The pricing models used to determine the estimated initial value of the Notes incorporate certain variables, including the levels and volatility of the underlying assets and underlying constituents, any expected dividends on the underlying assets and underlying constituents, the correlation of the underlying assets, prevailing interest rates, the term of the Notes and our internal funding rate. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay to issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities of a similar term. The underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance and other costs, projected profits and the difference in rates will reduce the economic value of the Notes to you. Due to these factors, the estimated initial value of the Notes as of the trade date is less than the issue price you pay for the Notes. |
| ¨ | The estimated initial value is a theoretical price; the actual price at which you may be able to sell your Notes in any secondary market (if any) at any time after the trade date may differ from the estimated initial value — The value of your Notes at any time will vary based on many factors, including the factors described above and in “— Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Underlying Assets — Market risk” above and is impossible to predict. Furthermore, the pricing models that we use are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, after the trade date, if you attempt to sell the Notes in the secondary market, the actual value you would receive may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated initial value of the Notes determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The estimated initial value of the Notes does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market at any time. |
| ¨ | Our actual profits may be greater or less than the differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the Notes as of the trade date — We may determine the economic terms of the Notes, as well as hedge our obligations, at least in part, prior to the trade date. In addition, there may be ongoing costs to us to maintain and/or adjust any hedges and such hedges are often imperfect. Therefore, our actual profits (or potentially, losses) in issuing the Notes cannot be determined as of the trade date and any such differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the Notes as of the trade date does not reflect our actual profits. Ultimately, our actual profits will be known only at the maturity of the Notes. |
Risks Relating to Liquidity and Secondary Market Price Considerations
| ¨ | There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes — The Notes will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Notes will develop. UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market in the Notes and may stop making a market at any time. If you are able to sell your Notes prior to maturity you may have to sell them at a substantial loss. The estimated initial value of the Notes does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market at any time. |
| ¨ | The price at which UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy the Notes in the secondary market (if any) may be greater than UBS’ valuation of the Notes at that time, greater than any other secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and, depending on your broker, greater than the valuation provided on your customer account statements — For a limited period of time following the issuance of the Notes, UBS Securities LLC or its affiliates may offer to buy or sell such Notes at a price that exceeds (i) our valuation of the Notes at that time based on our internal pricing models, (ii) any secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and (iii) depending on your broker, the valuation provided on customer account statements. The price that UBS Securities LLC may initially offer to buy such Notes following issuance will exceed the valuations indicated by our internal pricing models due to the inclusion for a limited period of time of the aggregate value of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and theoretical projected trading profit. The portion of such amounts included in our price will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than the date specified under “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest); Secondary Markets (if any).” Thereafter, if UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate makes secondary markets in the Notes, it will do so at prices that reflect our estimated value determined by reference to our internal pricing models at that time. The temporary positive differential relative to our internal pricing models arises from requests from and arrangements made by UBS Securities LLC with the selling agents of structured debt securities such as the Notes. As described above, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market for the Notes and may stop making a market at any time. The price at which UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate may make secondary markets at any time (if at all) will also reflect its then current bid-ask spread for similar sized trades of structured debt securities. UBS Securities LLC reflects this temporary positive differential on its customer statements. Investors should inquire as to the valuation provided on customer account statements provided by unaffiliated dealers. |
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| ¨ | Economic and market factors affecting the terms and market price of Notes prior to maturity — Because structured notes, including the Notes, can be thought of as having a debt component and a derivative component, factors that influence the values of debt instruments and options and other derivatives will also affect the terms and features of the Notes at issuance and the market price of the Notes prior to maturity. These factors include the levels of the underlying assets and the underlying constituents; the volatility of the underlying assets and the underlying constituents; any expected dividends on the underlying assets and the underlying constituents; the correlation of the underlying assets; the time remaining to the maturity of the Notes; interest rates in the markets; geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, force majeure and regulatory or judicial events; the creditworthiness of UBS; the then current bid-ask spread for the Notes and the factors discussed under “—Risks Relating to Hedging Activities and Conflicts of Interest — Potential conflicts of interest” below. These and other factors are unpredictable and interrelated and may offset or magnify each other. |
| ¨ | Impact of fees and the use of internal funding rates rather than secondary market credit spreads on secondary market prices — All other things being equal, the use of the internal funding rates described above under “— Estimated Value Considerations” as well as the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance and other costs and any projected profits are, subject to the temporary mitigating effect of UBS Securities LLC’s and its affiliates’ market making premium, expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market. |
Risks Relating to Hedging Activities and Conflicts of Interest
| ¨ | The calculation agent can make antidilution and reorganization adjustments that affect the market value of, and return on, the Notes — For antidilution and reorganization events affecting an underlying asset, the calculation agent may make adjustments to its initial level, call threshold level, coupon barrier, downside threshold and/or final level, as applicable, and any other term of the Notes. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment in response to every corporate event that could affect an underlying asset. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, the market value of, and return on, the Notes may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, all determinations and calculations concerning any such adjustments will be made by the calculation agent. You should be aware that the calculation agent may make any such adjustment, determination or calculation in a manner that differs from that discussed in the accompanying product supplement or herein as necessary to achieve an equitable result. Following certain reorganization events relating to an underlying asset issuer where such issuer is not the surviving entity, the determination as to whether the contingent coupon is payable to you on any coupon payment date, whether the Notes are subject to an automatic call or the amount you receive at maturity may be based on the equity security of a successor to such underlying asset issuer in combination with any cash or any other assets distributed to holders of such underlying asset in such reorganization event. If an underlying asset issuer becomes subject to (i) a reorganization event whereby such underlying asset is exchanged solely for cash, (ii) a merger or consolidation with UBS or any of its affiliates or (iii) such underlying asset is delisted or otherwise suspended from trading, the determination as to whether the contingent coupon is payable to you on any coupon payment date, whether the Notes are subject to an automatic call or the amount you receive at maturity may be based on a substitute security. Following a delisting or suspension from trading or discontinuance of an underlying asset, the determination as to whether the contingent coupon is payable to you on any coupon payment date, whether the Notes are subject to an automatic call or the amount you receive at maturity may be based on a share of another ETF or a basket of securities, futures contracts, commodities or other assets, as described further under “General Terms of the Securities — Delisting, Discontinuance or Modification of an ETF” in the accompanying product supplement. The occurrence of any antidilution or reorganization event and the consequent adjustments may materially and adversely affect the value of, and return on, the Notes. For more information, see the sections “General Terms of the Securities — Antidilution Adjustments for Securities Linked to an Underlying Equity or Equity Basket Asset” and “— Reorganization Events for Securities Linked to an Underlying Equity or Equity Basket Asset” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| ¨ | Potential UBS impact on price — Trading or transactions by UBS or its affiliates in any underlying asset or underlying constituent, as applicable, listed and/or over-the-counter options, futures, exchange-traded funds or other instruments with returns linked to the performance of any underlying asset or underlying constituent, as applicable, may adversely affect the levels of the underlying assets and, therefore, the market value of, and return on, the Notes. |
| ¨ | Potential conflicts of interest — UBS and its affiliates may engage in business with any underlying asset issuer or underlying constituent issuer, which may present a conflict between the interests of UBS and you, as a holder of the Notes. There are also potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent, which will be an affiliate of UBS. The calculation agent will determine whether the contingent coupon is payable to you on any coupon payment date, whether the Notes are subject to an automatic call and the payment at maturity of the Notes, if any, based on observed closing levels of the underlying assets. The calculation agent can postpone the determination of the terms of the Notes if a market disruption event occurs and is continuing on the trade date, any observation date or the final valuation date. As UBS determines the economic terms of the Notes, including the contingent coupon rate, call threshold levels, downside thresholds and coupon barriers, and such terms include the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance and other costs and projected profits, the Notes represent a package of economic terms. There are other potential conflicts of interest insofar as an investor could potentially get better economic terms if that investor entered into exchange-traded and/or OTC derivatives or other instruments with third parties, assuming that such instruments were available and the investor had the ability to assemble and enter into such instruments. Additionally, UBS and its affiliates act in various capacities with respect to the Notes, including as a principal, agent or dealer in connection with the sale of the Notes. Such affiliates, and any other third-party dealers, will derive compensation from the distribution of the Notes and such compensation may serve as an incentive to sell these Notes instead of other investments. Furthermore, given that UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates temporarily maintain a market making premium, it may have the effect of discouraging UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates from recommending sale of your Notes in the secondary market. |
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| ¨ | Potentially inconsistent research, opinions or recommendations by UBS — UBS and its affiliates publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the value of, and return on, the Notes, or express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes. Any research, opinions or recommendations expressed by UBS or its affiliates may not be consistent with each other and may be modified from time to time without notice. Investors should make their own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the Notes and the underlying assets. |
Risks Relating to General Credit Characteristics
| ¨ | Credit risk of UBS — The Notes are unsubordinated, unsecured debt obligations of UBS and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, depends on the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, UBS’ actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the market value of the Notes. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes and you could lose all of your initial investment. |
| ¨ | The Notes are not bank deposits — An investment in the Notes carries risks which are very different from the risk profile of a bank deposit placed with UBS or its affiliates. The Notes have different yield and/or return, liquidity and risk profiles and would not benefit from any protection provided to deposits. |
| ¨ | If UBS experiences financial difficulties, FINMA has the power to open restructuring or liquidation proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS, which proceedings or measures may have a material adverse effect on the terms and market value of the Notes and/or the ability of UBS to make payments thereunder — The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) has broad statutory powers to take measures and actions in relation to UBS if (i) it concludes that there is justified concern that UBS is over-indebted or has serious liquidity problems or (ii) UBS fails to fulfill the applicable capital adequacy requirements (whether on a standalone or consolidated basis) after expiry of a deadline set by FINMA. If one of these pre-requisites is met, FINMA is authorized to open restructuring proceedings or liquidation (bankruptcy) proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS. The Swiss Banking Act grants significant discretion to FINMA in connection with the aforementioned proceedings and measures. In particular, a broad variety of protective measures may be imposed by FINMA, including a bank moratorium or a maturity postponement, which measures may be ordered by FINMA either on a stand-alone basis or in connection with restructuring or liquidation proceedings. The resolution regime of the Swiss Banking Act is further detailed in Ordinance of 30 August 2012 of FINMA on the Insolvency of Banks and Securities Dealers, as amended (the “Swiss Banking Insolvency Ordinance”). In restructuring proceedings, FINMA, as resolution authority, is competent to approve the resolution plan. The resolution plan may, among other things, provide for (a) the transfer of all or a portion of UBS’ assets, debts, other liabilities and contracts (which may or may not include the contractual relationship between UBS and the holders of Notes) to another entity, (b) a stay (for a maximum of two business days) on the termination of contracts to which UBS is a party, and/or the exercise of (w) rights to terminate, (x) netting rights, (y) rights to enforce or dispose of collateral or (z) rights to transfer claims, liabilities or collateral under contracts to which UBS is a party, (c) the conversion of UBS’ debt and/or other obligations, including its obligations under the Notes, into equity (a “debt-to-equity” swap), and/or (d) the partial or full write-off of obligations owed by UBS (a “write-off”), including its obligations under the Notes. The Swiss Banking Insolvency Ordinance provides that a debt-to-equity swap and/or a write-off of debt and other obligations (including the Notes) may take place only after (i) all debt instruments issued by UBS qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital have been converted into equity or written-off, as applicable, and (ii) the existing equity of UBS has been fully cancelled. While the Swiss Banking Insolvency Ordinance does not expressly address the order in which a write-off of debt instruments other than debt instruments qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital should occur, it states that debt-to-equity swaps should occur in the following order: first, all subordinated claims not qualifying as regulatory capital; second, all other claims not excluded by law from a debt-to-equity swap (other than deposits); and third, deposits (in excess of the amount privileged by law). However, given the broad discretion granted to FINMA as the resolution authority, any restructuring plan in respect of UBS could provide that the claims under or in connection with the Notes will be partially or fully converted into equity or written-off, while preserving other obligations of UBS that rank pari passu with, or even junior to, UBS’ obligations under the Notes. Consequently, the exercise of any such powers by FINMA or any suggestion of any such exercise could materially adversely affect the rights of holders of the Notes, the price or value of their investment in the Notes and/or the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations under the Notes and could lead to holders losing some or all of their investment in the Notes. In the case of restructuring proceedings with respect to a systemically important Swiss bank (such as UBS), the creditors whose claims are affected by the restructuring plan will not have a right to vote on, reject, or seek the suspension of the restructuring plan. In addition, if a restructuring plan has been approved by FINMA, the rights of a creditor to seek judicial review of the restructuring plan (e.g., on the grounds that the plan would unduly prejudice the rights of holders of Notes or otherwise be in violation of the Swiss Banking Act) are very limited. In particular, a court may not suspend the implementation of the restructuring plan. Furthermore, even if a creditor successfully challenges the restructuring plan, the court can only require the relevant creditor to be compensated ex post and there is currently no guidance as to on what basis such compensation would be calculated or how it would be funded. |
Risks Relating to U.S. Federal Income Taxation
| ¨ | Uncertain tax treatment — Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain. You should consult your tax advisor about your tax situation. See “What Are the Tax Consequences of the Notes?” herein and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons”, in the accompanying product supplement. |
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Hypothetical Examples of How the Notes Might Perform
The below examples are based on hypothetical terms. The actual terms are indicated on the cover hereof.
The examples below illustrate the payment upon an automatic call or at maturity for a $1,000 Note on a hypothetical offering of the Notes, with the following assumptions (amounts may have been rounded for ease of reference):
| Principal Amount: | $1,000 |
| Term: | Approximately 5 years |
| Contingent Coupon Rate: | 6.00% per annum (or 1.50% per quarter) |
| Contingent Coupon: | $15.00 per quarter |
| Observation Dates: | Quarterly (callable after 6 months) |
| Initial Level: | |
Underlying Asset A: Underlying Asset B: Underlying Asset C: | $150.00 $100.00 $150.00 |
| Call Threshold Level: | |
Underlying Asset A: Underlying Asset B: Underlying Asset C: | $150.00 (which is equal to 100.00% of the Initial Level) $100.00 (which is equal to 100.00% of the Initial Level) $150.00 (which is equal to 100.00% of the Initial Level) |
| Coupon Barrier: | |
Underlying Asset A: Underlying Asset B: Underlying Asset C: | $105.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) $70.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) $105.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) |
| Downside Threshold: | |
Underlying Asset A: Underlying Asset B: Underlying Asset C: | $105.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) $70.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) $105.00 (which is equal to 70.00% of the Initial Level) |
Example 1 — The Closing Level of each Underlying Asset is equal to or greater than its Call Threshold Level on the Observation Date corresponding to the first potential Call Settlement Date.
Date | Closing Level | Payment (per Note) |
| First Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: $165.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset B: $106.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset C: $156.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) | $15.00 (Contingent Coupon – Not Callable) |
| Second Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: $153.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset B: $108.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset C: $168.00 (equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) | $1,015.00 (Call Settlement Amount) |
| Total Payment: | $1,030.00 (3.00% total return) |
Because the Notes are subject to an automatic call on the first potential call settlement date (which is approximately 6 months after the trade date), UBS will pay you on the call settlement date a total of $1,015.00 per Note (reflecting your principal amount plus the applicable contingent coupon). When added to the contingent coupon of $15.00 received in respect of the prior observation date, UBS will have paid you a total of $1,030.00 per Note, for a total return of 3.00% on the Notes. You will not receive any further payments on the Notes.
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Example 2 — The Notes are NOT subject to an Automatic Call and the Final Level of each Underlying Asset is equal to or greater than its Downside Threshold and Coupon Barrier.
Date | Closing Level | Payment (per Note) |
First Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: $123.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) Underlying Asset B: $82.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) Underlying Asset C: $114.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) | $15.00 (Contingent Coupon) |
| Second through Nineteenth Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: Various (all equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset B: Various (all less than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset C: Various (all equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) | $0.00 |
| Final Valuation Date | Underlying Asset A: $127.50 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) Underlying Asset B: $112.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) Underlying Asset C: $159.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) | $1,015.00 (Payment at Maturity) |
| Total Payment: | $1,030.00 (3.00% total return) |
Because the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of each underlying asset is equal to or greater than its downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Note at maturity equal to the principal amount, in addition to any contingent coupon otherwise due on the maturity date. Because the final level of each underlying asset was also equal to or greater than its coupon barrier, a contingent coupon will be paid with respect to the final valuation date. At maturity, UBS will pay you a total of $1,015.00 per Note (reflecting your principal amount plus the applicable contingent coupon). When added to the contingent coupon of $15.00 received in respect of the prior observation dates, UBS will have paid you a total of $1,030.00 per Note, for a total return of 3.00% on the Notes.
Example 3 — The Notes are NOT subject to an Automatic Call and the Final Level of any Underlying Asset is less than its Downside Threshold and Coupon Barrier.
Date | Closing Level | Payment (per Note) |
| First Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: $132.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) Underlying Asset B: $88.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) Underlying Asset C: $136.50 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier; less than Call Threshold Level) | $15.00 (Contingent Coupon) |
| Second through Nineteenth Observation Date | Underlying Asset A: Various (all equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset B: Various (all less than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) Underlying Asset C: Various (all equal to or greater than Call Threshold Level and Coupon Barrier) | $0.00 |
| Final Valuation Date | Underlying Asset A: $60.00 (less than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) Underlying Asset B: $110.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) Underlying Asset C: $165.00 (equal to or greater than Coupon Barrier and Downside Threshold) | $1,000.00 × [1 + Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying Asset] = $1,000.00 × [1 + (-60.00%)] = $1,000.00 × 40.00% = $400.00 (Payment at Maturity) |
| Total Payment: | $415.00 (58.50% loss) |
Because the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of underlying asset A is less than its downside threshold, at maturity you will be exposed to the negative return of the least performing underlying asset and UBS will pay you $400.00 per Note. When added to the contingent coupon of $15.00 received in respect of the prior observation dates, UBS will have paid you $415.00 per Note, for a loss on the Notes of 58.50%.
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We make no representation or warranty as to which of the underlying assets will be the least performing underlying asset for the purposes of calculating your actual payment at maturity.
Investing in the Notes involves significant risks. The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that UBS is not necessarily obligated to repay the full amount of your initial investment. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call, you may lose a significant portion or all of your investment. Specifically, if the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, you will lose a percentage of your principal amount equal to the underlying return of the least performing underlying asset and, in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment.
You will be exposed to the market risk of each underlying asset on each observation date, including the final valuation date, and any decline in the level of one underlying asset may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a lesser decline or any potential increase in the level of any other underlying asset. If the Notes are not subject to an automatic call and the final level of any underlying asset is less than its downside threshold, you will lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment at maturity. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Notes and you could lose all of your initial investment.
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Information About the Underlying Assets
All disclosures contained in this document regarding each underlying asset are derived from publicly available information. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to any underlying asset. You should make your own investigation into each underlying asset.
Included below is a brief description of each underlying asset. This information has been obtained from publicly available sources. Set forth below for each underlying asset is a graph that illustrates the past performance for such underlying asset. The information given below is for the period indicated. We obtained the past performance information set forth below from Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification. You should not take the historical levels of any underlying asset as an indication of future performance.
Each underlying asset is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended. Companies with securities registered with the SEC are required to file financial and other information specified by the SEC periodically. Information filed by each underlying asset issuer with the SEC can be reviewed electronically through a website maintained by the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov. Information filed with the SEC by each underlying asset issuer can be located by reference to its SEC file number provided below. In addition, information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section, at prescribed rates.
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SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF
We have derived all information contained herein regarding the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (the “XBI Fund”) and the target index, as defined below, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to changes by, the XBI Fund’s investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA” or the “investment adviser”) and the index sponsor of the target index, as defined below.
The XBI Fund is one of the separate investment portfolios that constitute the SPDR® Series Trust (“SPDR”). The XBI Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P® Biotechnology Select IndustryTM Index (the “target index”). The target index seeks to measure the performance of the biotechnology segment of the U.S. equity market and includes companies that have been identified as biotechnology companies on the basis of general industry classification from a universe of companies defined by the S&P Total Market Index, comprising the biotechnology sub-industry. The target index is calculated, maintained and published by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “index sponsor”). The index sponsor is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of, the target index at any time.
Select information regarding the XBI Fund’s expense ratio and its top constituents, country, industry and/or sector weightings may be made available on the XBI Fund’s website. Expenses of the XBI Fund reduce the net asset value of the assets held by the XBI Fund and, therefore, reduce the value of the shares of the XBI Fund.
SSGA uses a sampling strategy to manage the XBI Fund, an indexing investment strategy, which means that the XBI Fund is not required to purchase all of the securities represented in the target index. Instead, the XBI Fund may purchase a subset of the securities in the target index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the target index. The XBI Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the target index.
Under normal market conditions, the XBI Fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the target index. In addition, in seeking to track the target index, the XBI Fund may invest in equity securities that are not included in the target index, cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA). In seeking to track the target index, the XBI Fund’s assets will generally be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the target index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries. Futures contracts may be used by the XBI Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to the target Index and in managing cash flows.
Shares of the XBI Fund are listed on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XBI”.
Information from outside sources including, but not limited to the prospectus related to the XBI Fund and any other website referenced in this section, is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. We have not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the XBI Fund or the target index.
Information filed by SPDR with the SEC, including the prospectus for the XBI Fund, can be found by reference to its SEC file numbers: 333-57793 and 811-08839 or its CIK Code: 0001064642.
Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the underlying asset.
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Historical Information
The graph below illustrates the performance of the XBI Fund’s shares from January 1, 2011 through September 24, 2021, based on the daily closing levels as reported by Bloomberg, without independent verification. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information obtained from Bloomberg. The closing level of the XBI Fund’s shares on September 24, 2021 was $130.37. The dotted lines respectively represent its call threshold level of $130.37, which is equal to 100.00% of its initial level, and its coupon barrier and downside threshold of $91.26, which is equal to 70.00% of its initial level. Past performance of the underlying asset is not indicative of the future performance of the underlying asset during the term of the Notes.
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Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund
We have derived all information contained herein regarding The Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund (the “XLI Fund”) and the target index, as defined below, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to changes by, the XLI Fund’s investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA” or the “investment adviser”) and the index sponsor of the target index, as defined below.
The XLI Fund is one of the separate investment portfolios that constitute The Select Sector SPDR® Trust (“Select Sector SPDR”). The XLI Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Industrial Select Sector Index (the “target index”). The target index seeks to measure the performance of the industrial segment of the U.S. equity market and includes companies that have been identified as industrial companies on the basis of general industry classification from a universe of companies defined by the S&P 500® Index, including securities of companies from the following industries: aerospace and defense; industrial conglomerates; marine; transportation infrastructure; machinery; road and rail; air freight and logistics; commercial services and supplies; professional services; electrical equipment; construction and engineering; trading companies and distributors; airlines; and building products. The target index is calculated, maintained and published by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “index sponsor”). The index sponsor is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of, the target index at any time.
Select information regarding the XLI Fund’s expense ratio and its top constituents, country, industry and/or sector weightings may be made available on the XLI Fund’s website. Expenses of the XLI Fund reduce the net asset value of the assets held by the XLI Fund and, therefore, reduce the value of the shares of the XLI Fund.
In seeking to track the performance of the target index, the XLI Fund employs a replication strategy, which means that the XLI Fund typically invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the target index in approximately the same proportions as the target index. Under normal market conditions, the XLI Fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the target index. In addition, the XLI Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA).
Shares of the XLI Fund are listed on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XLI”.
Information from outside sources including, but not limited to the prospectus related to the XLI Fund and any other website referenced in this section, is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. We have not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the XLI Fund or the target index.
Information filed by Select Sector SPDR with the SEC, including the prospectus for the XLI Fund, can be found by reference to its SEC file numbers: 333-57791 and 811-08837 or its CIK Code: 0001064641.
Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the underlying asset.
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Historical Information
The graph below illustrates the performance of the XLI Fund’s shares from January 1, 2011 through September 24, 2021, based on the daily closing levels as reported by Bloomberg, without independent verification. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information obtained from Bloomberg. The closing level of the XLI Fund’s shares on September 24, 2021 was $100.85. The dotted lines respectively represent its call threshold level of $100.85, which is equal to 100.00% of its initial level, and its coupon barrier and downside threshold of $70.60, which is equal to 70.00% of its initial level. Past performance of the underlying asset is not indicative of the future performance of the underlying asset during the term of the Notes.
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Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund
We have derived all information contained herein regarding The Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund (the “XLK Fund”) and the target index, as defined below, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to changes by, the XLK Fund’s investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA” or the “investment adviser”) and the index sponsor of the target index, as defined below.
The XLK Fund is one of the separate investment portfolios that constitute The Select Sector SPDR® Trust (“Select Sector SPDR”). The XLK Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Technology Select Sector Index (the “target index”). The target index seeks to measure the performance of the information technology segment of the U.S. equity market and includes companies that have been identified as information technology companies on the basis of general industry classification from a universe of companies defined by the S&P 500® Index, including securities of companies from the following industries: technology hardware, storage, and peripherals; software; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; IT services; and electronic equipment, instruments and components. The target index is calculated, maintained and published by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “index sponsor”). The index sponsor is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of, the target index at any time.
Select information regarding the XLK Fund’s expense ratio and its top constituents, country, industry and/or sector weightings may be made available on the XLK Fund’s website. Expenses of the XLK Fund reduce the net asset value of the assets held by the XLK Fund and, therefore, reduce the value of the shares of the XLK Fund.
In seeking to track the performance of the target index, the XLK Fund employs a replication strategy, which means that the XLK Fund typically invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the target index in approximately the same proportions as the target index. Under normal market conditions, the XLK Fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the target index. In addition, the XLK Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA).
Shares of the XLK Fund are listed on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XLK”.
Information from outside sources including, but not limited to the prospectus related to the XLK Fund and any other website referenced in this section, is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. We have not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the XLK Fund or the target index.
Information filed by Select Sector SPDR with the SEC, including the prospectus for the XLK Fund, can be found by reference to its SEC file numbers: 333-57791 and 811-08837 or its CIK Code: 0001064641.
Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the underlying asset.
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Historical Information
The graph below illustrates the performance of the XLK Fund’s shares from January 1, 2011 through September 24, 2021, based on the daily closing levels as reported by Bloomberg, without independent verification. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information obtained from Bloomberg. The closing level of the XLK Fund’s shares on September 24, 2021 was $156.71. The dotted lines respectively represent its call threshold level of $156.71, which is equal to 100.00% of its initial level, and its coupon barrier and downside threshold of $109.70, which is equal to 70.00% of its initial level. Past performance of the underlying asset is not indicative of the future performance of the underlying asset during the term of the Notes.
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Correlation of the Underlying Assets
The graph below illustrates the daily performance of the underlying assets from January 1, 2011 through September 24, 2021. For comparison purposes, each underlying asset has been normalized to have a closing level of 100.00 on January 1, 2011 by dividing the closing level of that underlying asset on each trading day by the closing level of that underlying asset on January 1, 2011 and multiplying by 100.00. We obtained the closing levels used to determine the normalized closing levels set forth below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
The closer the relationship of the daily returns of the underlying assets over a given period, the more positively correlated those underlying assets are. The lower (or more negative) the correlation of the underlying assets, the less likely it is that those underlying assets will move in the same direction and therefore, the greater the potential for the closing level or final level of one of those underlying assets to be less than its coupon barrier or downside threshold on any observation date or on the final valuation date, respectively. This is because the less positively correlated the underlying assets are, the greater the likelihood that at least one of the underlying assets will decrease in value. However, even if the underlying assets have a higher positive correlation, the closing level or final level of one or more of the underlying assets might be less than its coupon barrier or downside threshold on any observation date or on the final valuation date, respectively, as the underlying assets may decrease in value together. Although the correlation of the underlying assets’ performance may change over the term of the Notes, the correlations referenced in setting the terms of the Notes are calculated using UBS’ internal models at the time when the terms of the Notes are set and are not derived from the daily returns of the underlying assets over the period set forth below. A higher contingent coupon rate is generally associated with lower correlation of the underlying assets, which reflects a greater potential for missed contingent coupons and for a loss on your investment at maturity. See “Key Risks — Risks Relating to Return Characteristics — A higher contingent coupon rate or lower downside thresholds or coupon barriers may reflect greater expected volatility of each of the underlying assets, and greater expected volatility generally indicates an increased risk of loss at maturity”, “— Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Underlying Assets — You are exposed to the market risk of each underlying asset” and “— Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Underlying Assets — Because the Notes are linked to the least performing underlying asset, you are exposed to a greater risk of no contingent coupons and losing a significant portion or all of your initial investment at maturity than if the Notes were linked to a single underlying asset or fewer underlying assets“ herein.
Past performance of the underlying assets is not indicative of the future performance of the underlying assets.
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What Are the Tax Consequences of the Notes?
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as the Notes. Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons”, in the accompanying product supplement and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.
U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, UBS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize the Notes as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the underlying assets. If your Notes are so treated, any contingent coupon that is paid by UBS (including on the maturity date or call settlement date) should be included in your income as ordinary income in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In determining our information reporting obligations, if any, we intend to treat the contingent coupons as ordinary income.
In addition, excluding amounts or proceeds attributable to any contingent coupon, you should generally recognize gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your Notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time (other than amounts or proceeds attributable to a contingent coupon or any amount attributable to any accrued but unpaid contingent coupon) and the amount you paid for your Notes. Subject to the “constructive ownership” rules of Section 1260 of the Code, discussed below, such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Notes for more than one year (otherwise such gain or loss would be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Although uncertain, it is possible that proceeds received from the taxable disposition of your Notes prior to a coupon payment date, but that could be attributed to an expected contingent coupon, could be treated as ordinary income. You should consult your tax advisor regarding this risk.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether any underlying constituent issuer or underlying asset issuer would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or as a “United States real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If any such entity were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply, to a U.S. holder in the case of a PFIC and to a non-U.S. holder in the case of a USRPHC, upon the taxable disposition of a Note. Both U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders should refer to information filed with the SEC or the equivalent governmental authority by any such entity and consult their tax advisors regarding the possible consequences to them in the event that any such entity is or becomes a PFIC or USRPHC.
Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your Notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the Notes, it is possible that your Notes could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument or pursuant to some other characterization (including possible treatment as a “constructive ownership transaction” under Section 1260 of the Code), such that the timing and character of your income from the Notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons” in the accompanying product supplement.
Except to the extent otherwise required by law, UBS intends to treat your Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above and under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons” in the accompanying product supplement unless and until such time as the IRS and the Treasury determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Section 1260. Because an underlying asset that is an ETF would be treated as a “pass-thru entity” for purposes of Section 1260 of the Code, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as a constructive ownership transaction under Section 1260 of the Code. If the Notes were treated as a constructive ownership transaction, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply (i.e., all or a portion of any long-term capital gain that you recognize upon the taxable disposition of your Notes could be recharacterized as ordinary income and you could be subject to an interest charge on any deferred tax liability with respect to such recharacterized gain). We urge you to read the discussion concerning the possible treatment of the Notes as a constructive ownership transaction under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards — Section 1260” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the Notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the Notes 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 Notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently in excess of any receipt of contingent coupons and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code (discussed above) should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and potential impact of the above considerations.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the Notes, to the extent of their net investment income that when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of the 3.8% Medicare tax.
Specified Foreign Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their Notes if they do not hold their Notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their Notes and certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its Notes and fails to do so.
Non-U.S. Holders. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the contingent coupons is unclear. Subject to the discussions below with respect to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA (as defined below), our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that contingent coupons paid to a non-U.S. holder that provides us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) with a fully completed and validly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 should not be subject to U.S. withholding tax and we do not intend to withhold any tax on contingent coupons. However, it is possible that the IRS could assert that such payments are subject to U.S. withholding tax, or that another withholding agent may otherwise determine that withholding is required, in which case the other withholding agent may withhold up to 30% on such payments (subject to reduction or elimination of such withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Subject to Section 897 of the Code, discussed above, and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain realized from the taxable disposition or maturity of the Notes generally should not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S., (ii) the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) the non-U.S. holder has certain other present or former connections with the U.S.
Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2018. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2023.
Based on our determination that the Notes are not “delta-one” with respect to any underlying asset or any underlying constituents, our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that the Notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations on the date the terms of the Notes are set. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.
Nevertheless, after the date the terms are set, it is possible that your Notes could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting an underlying asset, the underlying constituents or your Notes, and following such occurrence your Notes could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the Notes under these rules if a non-U.S. holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of an underlying asset, any underlying constituents or the Notes. A non-U.S. holder that enters, or has entered, into other transactions in respect of an underlying asset, any underlying constituents or the Notes should consult its tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to its Notes in the context of its other transactions.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the Notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the Notes.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), 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) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or
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is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account of the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their tax advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their Notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of Notes purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the Notes despite the fact that there may be no interest payments over the term of the Notes.
Furthermore, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the Notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is not possible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your Notes. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on the tax treatment of your Notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of the Notes arising under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction.
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Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest); Secondary Markets (if any)
We have agreed to sell to UBS Securities LLC, and UBS Securities LLC has agreed to purchase, all of the Notes at the issue price to the public less the underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof. UBS Securities LLC has agreed to resell the Notes to one or more third-party dealers at a discount from the issue price to the public equal to the underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof. Certain of such third-party dealers may resell the Notes to other securities dealers at the issue price to the public less an underwriting discount of up to the underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof. Certain unaffiliated registered investment advisers or fee-based advisory accounts may have agreed to purchase Notes from a third-party dealer at a purchase price of at least $960.00 per Note, and such third-party dealer, with respect to such sales, may have agreed to forgo some or all of the underwriting discount. Additionally, we or one of our affiliates may pay a fee to an unaffiliated broker-dealer for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering.
Conflicts of Interest — UBS Securities LLC is an affiliate of UBS and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5121. In addition, UBS will receive the net proceeds (excluding the underwriting discount) from the initial public offering of the Notes, thus creating an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Consequently, the offering is being conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. UBS Securities LLC is not permitted to sell Notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.
UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy or sell the Notes in the secondary market (if any) at prices greater than UBS’ internal valuation — The value of the Notes at any time will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted. However, the price (not including UBS Securities LLC’s or any affiliates’ customary bid-ask spreads) at which UBS Securities LLC or any affiliate would offer to buy or sell the Notes immediately after the trade date in the secondary market is expected to exceed the estimated initial value of the Notes as determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The amount of the excess will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than 6 months after the trade date, provided that UBS Securities LLC may shorten the period based on various factors, including the magnitude of purchases and other negotiated provisions with selling agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required to make a market for the Notes and may stop making a market at any time. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the Notes, see “Key Risks — Estimated Value Considerations” and “— Risks Relating to Liquidity and Secondary Market Price Considerations” herein.
Prohibition of Sales to EEA & UK Retail Investors — The Notes 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 European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, 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 (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “EU PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the EU PRIIPs Regulation.
The Notes 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 United Kingdom (the “UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor in the UK means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, subject to amendments made by the Markets in Financial Instruments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/1403), as may be amended or superseded from time to time (the “EUWA”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (“UK Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.
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Validity of the Notes
In the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, as special counsel to the issuer, when the Notes offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by the issuer and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture and delivered, paid for and sold as contemplated herein, the Notes will be valid and binding obligations of the issuer, enforceable against the issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, receivership or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by Swiss law, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has assumed, without independent inquiry or investigation, the validity of the matters opined on by Homburger AG, Swiss legal counsel for the issuer, in its opinion dated February 24, 2021 filed on that date with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5.3 to the issuer’s registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”). In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and, with respect to the Notes, authentication of the Notes and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP dated February 24, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5.4 to the Registration Statement.
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