An investment in the securities is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. Investors in the securities are also exposed to further risks related to the issuer of the securities, Royal Bank of Canada, which are described in Royal Bank of Canada’s annual report on Form 40-F for its most recently completed fiscal year, filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. See the categories of risks, identified and disclosed in the management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the annual report on Form 40-F. This section (and the management’s discussion and analysis section of the annual report on Form 40-F) describes the most significant risks relating to the securities. You should carefully consider whether the securities are suited to your particular circumstances.
The price of the underlying stock may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See “Information About the Underlying Stock—Historical Information” below.
You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount per security if you sell your securities prior to maturity.
relating to our hedging of the securities. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the securities, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the securities in any secondary market and will affect the value of the securities in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your securities prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the agent’s commissions and the hedging costs relating to the securities. In addition to bid-ask spreads, the value of the securities determined for any secondary market price is expected to be based on the secondary rate rather than the internal funding rate used to price the securities and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary price will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your securities to maturity.
The value of the securities at any time after the pricing date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the securities in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your securities.
We may hedge our obligations under the securities through certain affiliates, who would expect to make a profit on that hedge. We or our affiliates may adjust these hedges by, among other things, purchasing or selling those assets at any time, including around the time of the valuation date, which could have an impact on the return of your securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our affiliates' control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss.
assurance that the price of the underlying stock will not decrease so that at maturity you will not lose some or all of your investment.
than the final share price, the payment at maturity will be based solely on the closing price of the underlying stock on the valuation date.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice indicating that it and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the securities even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the securities until maturity and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale, exchange or maturity of an instrument such as the securities could be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain and could apply on a retroactive basis.
Please read carefully the sections entitled “Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in this document, the section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.
Additional Terms of the Securities
Please read this information in conjunction with the summary terms on the front cover of this document.
Additional Provisions
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Closing price of the Underlying Stock:
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The “closing price” for the underlying stock (or one unit of any other security for which a closing price must be determined) on any trading day means:
(i)
if the underlying stock (or any such other security) is listed on a national securities exchange (other than the NASDAQ), the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session on such day on the principal national securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act, on which the underlying stock (or any such other security) is listed,
(ii)
if the underlying stock (or any such other security) is a security of the NASDAQ, the official closing price published by the NASDAQ on such day, or
(iii)
if the underlying stock (or any such other security) is not listed on any national securities exchange but is included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service (the “OTC Bulletin Board”) operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the OTC Bulletin Board on that day.
If the underlying stock (or any such other security) is listed on any national securities exchange but the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by the NASDAQ, as applicable, is not available under the preceding sentence, then the closing price for one share of the underlying stock (or one unit of any such other security) on any trading day will mean the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the over-the-counter market as reported on the NASDAQ or the OTC Bulletin Board on that day. If a market disruption event (as defined below) occurs with respect to the underlying stock (or any such other security) or the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by the NASDAQ, as applicable, for the underlying stock (or any such other security) is not available under either of the two preceding sentences, then the closing price for any trading day will be the mean, as determined by the calculation agent, of the bid prices for the underlying stock (or any such other security) for that trading day obtained from as many recognized dealers in that security, but not exceeding three, as will make such bid prices available to the calculation agent. Bids of RBCCM and its successors or any of its affiliates may be included in the calculation of that mean, but only to the extent that any such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. If no bid prices are provided from any third party dealers, the closing price will be determined by the calculation agent in its sole and absolute discretion (acting in good faith) taking into account any information that it deems relevant. The term “OTC Bulletin Board Service” will include any successor service.
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Adjustment factor:
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1.0, subject to adjustment. No such adjustment to the adjustment factor will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the amount being adjusted as then in effect. Any number so adjusted will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth with five one-millionths being rounded upward.
1. If the underlying stock is subject to a stock split or reverse stock split, then once the split has become effective, the adjustment factor will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior adjustment factor and the number of shares issued in the stock split or reverse stock split with respect to one share of underlying stock.
2. If the underlying stock is subject (i) to a stock dividend (issuance of additional shares of underlying stock) that is given ratably to all holders of the underlying stock or (ii) to a distribution of shares of the underlying stock as a result of the triggering of any provision of the corporate charter of the underlying company, then once the dividend has become effective and the underlying stock is trading ex-dividend, the adjustment factor will be adjusted so that the new adjustment factor shall equal the prior adjustment factor plus the product of (i) the number of shares issued with respect to one share of underlying stock and (ii) the prior adjustment factor.
3. If the underlying company issues rights or warrants to all holders of the underlying stock to subscribe for or purchase the underlying stock at an exercise price per share less than the closing price of the underlying stock on both (i) the date the exercise price of the rights or warrants is determined and (ii) the expiration date of the rights or warrants, and if the expiration date of the rights or warrants precedes the maturity date of the securities, then the adjustment factor will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior adjustment factor and a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of underlying stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of the rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of underlying stock offered for subscription or purchase under the rights or warrants and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of underlying stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of the rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of underlying stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of underlying stock so offered for
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subscription or purchase under the rights or warrants would purchase at the closing price on the expiration date of the rights or warrants, which will be determined by multiplying the total number of shares offered by the exercise price of the rights or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by the closing price.
4. There will be no adjustments to the adjustment factor to reflect cash dividends or other distributions paid with respect to the underlying stock other than distributions described in paragraph 2, paragraph 3 and clauses (i), (iv) and (v) of paragraph 5 below and “Extraordinary Dividends” as described below. A cash dividend or other distribution with respect to the underlying stock will be deemed to be an “Extraordinary Dividend” if that cash dividend or distribution exceeds the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for the underlying stock by an amount equal to at least 10% of the closing price of the underlying stock (as adjusted for any subsequent corporate event requiring an adjustment hereunder, such as a stock split or reverse stock split) on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date (that is, the day on and after which transactions in the underlying stock on the primary U.S. organized securities exchange or trading system on which the underlying stock is traded no longer carry the right to receive that cash dividend or that cash distribution) for the payment of the Extraordinary Dividend. If an Extraordinary Dividend occurs with respect to the underlying stock, the adjustment factor with respect to the underlying stock will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date with respect to such Extraordinary Dividend so that the new adjustment factor will equal the product of (i) the then current adjustment factor and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the closing price on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date, and the denominator of which is the amount by which the closing price on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the Extraordinary Dividend Amount. The “Extraordinary Dividend Amount” with respect to an Extraordinary Dividend for the underlying stock will equal (i) in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of such Extraordinary Dividend minus the amount per share of the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for the underlying stock or (ii) in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that do not constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of the Extraordinary Dividend. To the extent an Extraordinary Dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash component will be determined by the calculation agent, whose determination will be conclusive. A distribution on the underlying stock described in clause (i), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 5 below that also constitutes an Extraordinary Dividend will cause an adjustment to the adjustment factor only under clause (i), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 5, as applicable.
5. If (i) there occurs any reclassification or change of the underlying stock, including, without limitation, as a result of the issuance of any tracking stock or similar security by the underlying stock issuer, (ii) the underlying stock issuer or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of the underlying stock issuer (the “successor corporation”) has been subject to a merger, combination or consolidation and is not the surviving entity, (iii) any statutory exchange of securities of the underlying stock issuer or any successor corporation with another corporation occurs (other than under clause (ii) above), (iv) the underlying stock issuer is liquidated, (v) the underlying stock issuer issues to all of its shareholders equity securities of an issuer other than the underlying stock issuer (other than in a transaction described in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) (a “spin-off event”) or (vi) a tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction is consummated for all the outstanding shares of the underlying stock (any event in clauses (i) through (vi), a “reorganization event”), the method of determining the amount payable at maturity for each security will be as follows:
If exchange property consists of more than one type of property and we elect to deliver exchange property, rather than its cash value, we will deliver at maturity to DTC, as holder of the securities, a pro rata share of each such type of exchange property. We expect that the exchange property will be distributed to investors in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of DTC and its direct and indirect participants. If exchange property includes a cash component, investors will not receive any interest accrued on the cash component. In the event exchange property consists of securities, those securities will, in turn, be subject to the antidilution adjustments set forth in paragraphs 1 through 5.
For purposes of paragraph 5 above, in the case of a consummated tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction involving consideration of particular types, exchange property shall be deemed to include the amount of cash or other property delivered by the offeror in the tender or exchange offer (in an amount determined on the basis of the rate of exchange in the tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction). In the event of a tender or exchange offer or a going-private transaction with respect to exchange property in which an offeree may elect to receive cash or other property, exchange property will be deemed to include the kind and amount of cash and other property received by offerees who elect to receive cash.
Following the occurrence of any reorganization event referred to in paragraph 5 above, all references in this document to “the underlying stock” shall be deemed to refer to the exchange property and references to a “share” or “shares” will be deemed to refer to the applicable unit or
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units of the exchange property, unless the context otherwise requires.
No adjustment to the adjustment factor will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the adjustment factor then in effect. The adjustment factor resulting from any of the adjustments specified above will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward. Adjustments to the adjustment factor will be made up to the close of business on the valuation date.
No adjustments to the adjustment factor or method of calculating the applicable adjustment factor will be required other than those specified above. The adjustments specified above do not cover all events that could affect the final share price of the underlying stock, including, without limitation, a partial tender or exchange offer for the underlying stock.
The calculation agent will be solely responsible for the determination and calculation of any adjustments to the adjustment factor or method of calculating the adjustment factor and of any related determinations and calculations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) in connection with any corporate event described in this section, and its determinations and calculations will be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
The calculation agent will provide information as to any adjustments to the adjustment factor or to the method of calculating the amount payable at maturity of the securities made under paragraph 5 above upon written request by any investor in the securities.
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Postponement of the valuation date:
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If the valuation date occurs on a day that is not a trading day or on a day on which the calculation agent has determined that a market disruption event (as defined below) has occurred or is continuing, then the valuation date will be postponed until the next succeeding trading day on which the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event does not occur or is not continuing; provided that in no event will the valuation date be postponed by more than five trading days. If the valuation date is postponed by five trading days, and a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on that fifth trading day, then the closing price of the underlying stock will nevertheless be determined as set forth above under “—Closing price of the underlying stock.” If the valuation date is postponed, then the maturity date will be postponed by an equal number of business days. No interest shall accrue or be payable as a result of such postponement.
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Market disruption events:
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“Market disruption event” means:
(a) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of the underlying stock on its primary market for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session in that market; or a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of the primary market for the underlying stock as a result of which the reported trading prices for the underlying stock during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session in that market are materially inaccurate; or the suspension, absence or material limitation of trading on the primary market for trading in options contracts related to the underlying stock, if available, during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session in the applicable market, in each case as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; and
(b) a determination by the calculation agent in its sole discretion that any event described in clauses (a) above materially interfered with our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to unwind or adjust all or a material portion of the hedge position with respect to the securities.
For the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event has occurred: (1) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will not constitute a market disruption event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the primary market, (2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant options contract will not constitute a market disruption event, (3) a suspension of trading in options contracts on the underlying stock by the primary securities market trading in such contracts by reason of (i) a price change exceeding limits set by that securities exchange or market, (ii) an imbalance of orders relating to such contracts or (iii) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to those contracts will constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in options contracts related to the underlying stock and (4) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading on the primary securities market on which options contracts related to the underlying stock are traded will not include any time when that securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances.
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Business day:
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A business day means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
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Trading day:
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“Trading day” means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which trading is generally conducted on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States.
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Default interest upon acceleration:
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In the event we fail to make a payment on the maturity date, any overdue payment in respect of such payment on the securities will bear interest until the date upon which all sums due are received by or on behalf of the relevant holder, at a rate per annum which is the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of six months which appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR page as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the first business day following such failure to pay. Such rate shall be determined by the calculation agent. If interest is required to be calculated for a period of less than one year, it will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of the actual number of days in the period.
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Events of default and acceleration:
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If the maturity of the securities is accelerated upon an event of default under the Indenture, the amount payable upon acceleration will be determined by the calculation agent. Such amount will be calculated as if the date of declaration of acceleration were the valuation date.
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Minimum ticketing size
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$1,000 / 100 securities
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Additional amounts:
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We will pay any amounts to be paid by us on the securities without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present or future income, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (taxes) now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of Canada or any Canadian political subdivision or authority that has the power to tax, unless the deduction or withholding is required by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant governmental authority. At any time a Canadian taxing jurisdiction requires us to deduct or withhold for or on account of taxes from any payment made under or in respect of the securities, we will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amounts received by each holder (including Additional Amounts), after such deduction or withholding, shall not be less than the amount the holder would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required.
However, no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a holder of a security or of a right to receive payments in respect thereto (a “Payment Recipient”), which we refer to as an “Excluded Holder,” in respect of a beneficial owner or Payment Recipient:
(i)
with whom we do not deal at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) at the time of making such payment;
(ii)
who is subject to such taxes by reason of the holder being connected presently or formerly with Canada or any province or territory thereof otherwise than by reason of the holder’s activity in connection with purchasing the securities, the holding of securities or the receipt of payments thereunder;
(iii)
who is, or who does not deal at arm’s length with a person who is, a “specified shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) of Royal Bank of Canada (generally a person will be a “specified shareholder” for this purpose if that person, either alone or together with persons with whom the person does not deal at arm’s length, owns 25% or more of (a) our voting shares, or (b) the fair market value of all of our issued and outstanding shares);
(iv)
who presents such security for payment (where presentation is required, such as if a security is issued in definitive form) more than 30 days after the relevant date; for this purpose, the “relevant date” in relation to any payments on any security means:
a.
the due date for payment thereof (whether at maturity or upon an earlier acceleration), or
b.
if the full amount of the monies payable on such date has not been received by the Trustee on or prior to such due date, the date on which the full amount of such monies has been received and notice to that effect is given to holders of the securities in accordance with the Indenture;
(v)
who could lawfully avoid (but has not so avoided) such withholding or deduction by complying, or requiring that any agent comply with, any statutory requirements necessary to establish qualification for an exemption from withholding or by making, or requiring that any agent make, a declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption to any relevant tax authority; or
(vi)
who is subject to deduction or withholding on account of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the application of Section 1471 through 1474 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (or any successor provisions), any regulation, pronouncement, or agreement thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto, whether
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currently in effect or as published and amended from time to time.
For the purposes of clause (iv) above, if a security is presented for payment more than 30 days after the relevant date, we shall only be required to pay such Additional Amounts as shall have accrued as of such 30
th
day, and no further Additional Amounts shall accrue or become payable after such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, we will not have any obligation to pay any holders Additional Amounts on any tax which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or in respect of the securities.
We will also make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. We will furnish to the Trustee, within 30 days after the date the payment of any taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing that such payment has been made or other evidence of such payment satisfactory to the Trustee. We will indemnify and hold harmless each holder of securities (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such holder for the amount of (x) any taxes so levied or imposed and paid by such holder as a result of payments made under or with respect to the securities, and (y) any taxes levied or imposed and paid by such holder with respect to any reimbursement under (x) above, but excluding any such taxes on such holder’s net income or capital.
For additional information, see the section entitled “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.
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Form of the securities:
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Book-entry
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Trustee:
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The Bank of New York Mellon
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Calculation agent:
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RBCCM. The calculation agent will make all determinations regarding the securities. Absent manifest error, all determinations of the calculation agent will be final and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the calculation agent. You will not be entitled to any compensation from us for any loss suffered as a result of any of the above determinations or confirmations by the calculation agent.
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Contact:
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Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients may contact their local Morgan Stanley Wealth Management branch office or our principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone number 1-(866)-477-4776). All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third-party distributors may contact Morgan Stanley Structured Investment Sales at 1-(800)-233-1087.
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Validity of the securities:
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In the opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, the issue and sale of the securities has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank in conformity with the Indenture, and when the securities have been duly executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, the securities will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the securities is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario or Québec, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, and will be valid obligations of the Bank, subject to equitable remedies which may only be granted at the discretion of a court of competent authority, subject to applicable bankruptcy, to rights to indemnity and contribution under the securities or the Indenture which may be limited by applicable law; to insolvency and other laws of general application affecting creditors’ rights, to limitations under applicable limitations statutes, and to limitations as to the currency in which judgments in Canada may be rendered, as prescribed by the Currency Act (Canada). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and Québec and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated January 8, 2016, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.1 to Royal Bank’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC dated January 8, 2016.
In the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, when the securities have been duly completed in accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the prospectus supplement and the prospectus, the securities will be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Royal Bank, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. This opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and to such counsel’s reliance on the Bank and other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the legal opinion dated January 8, 2016, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Bank’s Form 6-K dated January 8, 2016.
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Terms incorporated in the master note:
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All of the terms in “Summary Terms” (except the item captioned “Commissions and issue price”) and the terms above the item captioned “Contact” in “Additional Terms of the Securities” of this pricing supplement, and the sections “Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
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Information About the Underlying Stock
Amazon.com, Inc. is an online retailer that offers a wide range of products. The company products include books, music, videotapes, computers, electronics, home and garden, and numerous other products. The company offers personalized shopping services, Web-based credit card payment, and direct shipping to customers.
The underlying stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the underlying company under the Securities Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC CIK number 0001018724 through the website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding the underlying company may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that those publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the underlying company is accurate or complete.
Information as of market close on February 17, 2017:
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol:
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AMZN
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52 Weeks Ago:
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$534.10
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Exchange:
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NASDAQ
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52 Week High (on 2/17/2017):
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$845.07
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Current Stock Price:
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$845.07
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52 Week Low (on 2/18/2016):
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$525.00
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The table below sets forth the published high and low closing prices of the underlying stock for each quarter from January 1, 2013 through February 17, 2017. The graph below sets forth the daily closing prices of the underlying stock from January 1, 2013 through February 17, 2017. We obtained the information in the table and graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical performance of the underlying stock should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the price of the underlying stock at any time, including the valuation date.
Common Stock of Amazon.com, Inc.
(CUSIP 023135106)
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High ($)
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Low ($)
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2013
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First Quarter
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283.99
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253.39
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Second Quarter
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281.76
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248.23
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Third Quarter
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318.12
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280.93
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Fourth Quarter
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404.39
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298.23
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2014
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First Quarter
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407.05
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336.52
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Second Quarter
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342.99
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288.32
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Third Quarter
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360.84
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307.06
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Fourth Quarter
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338.64
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287.06
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2015
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First Quarter
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387.83
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286.95
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Second Quarter
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445.99
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370.26
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Third Quarter
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548.39
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429.70
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Fourth Quarter
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693.97
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520.72
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2016
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First Quarter
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636.99
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482.07
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Second Quarter
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728.24
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586.14
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Third Quarter
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837.31
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725.68
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Fourth Quarter
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844.36
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719.07
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2017
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First Quarter (through February 17, 2017)
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845.07
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753.66
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Common Stock of Amazon.com, Inc. – Historical Closing Prices
January 1, 2013 to February 17, 2017
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This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the underlying stock or other securities of the underlying company. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying company’s stock from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of those documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the underlying company. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that those publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the underlying company is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of the underlying stock (and therefore the price of the underlying stock at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the underlying company could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
Neither the issuer nor any of its affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying stock.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
An investor should read carefully the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-resident Holder owning debt securities under “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.
Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following, together with the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, is a general description of the material U.S. tax considerations relating to the securities. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the securities. Prospective purchasers of the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident for tax purposes and the tax laws of Canada and the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the securities and receiving payments under the securities. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this document and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date.
Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations
The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement. It applies only to those initial holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus.
NO STATUTORY, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY DIRECTLY DISCUSSES HOW THE SECURITIES SHOULD BE TREATED FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. AS A RESULT, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES ARE UNCERTAIN. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the underlying company would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code¸ or a “U.S. real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If the underlying company were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to U.S. and non-U.S. holders, respectively. You should refer to any available information filed with the SEC by the underlying company and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you in this regard.
In the opinion of our counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat a security as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract in respect of the underlying stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the terms of the securities require a holder and us (in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. If the securities are so treated, a U.S. holder should generally recognize short-term capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a holder receives at such time and the holder’s tax basis in the securities. In general, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the securities will be equal to the price the holder paid for the securities. Capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year and is generally taxed at ordinary income rates where the property is held for one year or less. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Alternative Treatments
. Alternative tax treatments of the securities are also possible and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, it is possible to treat the securities, and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that a security should be treated, as a single debt instrument. Pursuant to such characterization, since the securities have a term that exceeds one year, such a debt instrument would be subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the securities are so treated, a holder would generally be required to accrue interest income over the term of the securities based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with terms and conditions similar to the securities. In addition, any gain a holder might recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities would generally be ordinary income and any loss recognized by a holder at such time would generally be ordinary loss to the extent of interest that same holder included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the securities, and thereafter, would be capital loss.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the securities, it is also possible that the Internal Revenue Service could seek to characterize the securities in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the Internal Revenue Service could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the securities. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the securities should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the securities will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gains as ordinary income and impose an interest charge, might be applied to such instruments. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations. We intend to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described in
this document unless and until such time as the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.
Payments made with respect to the securities and proceeds from the sale or exchange of the securities may be subject to a backup withholding tax unless, in general, the holder complies with certain procedures or is an exempt recipient. Any amounts so withheld generally will be refunded by the Internal Revenue Service or allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the holder makes a timely filing of an appropriate tax return or refund claim to the Internal Revenue Service.
Reports will be made to the Internal Revenue Service and to holders that are not exempted from the reporting requirements.
Non-U.S. Holders.
The following discussion applies to non-U.S. holders of the securities. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a note that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.
Except as described below, a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the securities, provided that (i) the holder complies with any applicable certification requirements, (ii) the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a U.S. trade or business, and (iii) if the holder is a non-resident alien individual, such holder is not present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities. In the case of (ii) above, the holder generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any income or gain in the same manner as if the holder were a U.S. holder and, in the case of a holder that is a corporation, the holder may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business, subject to certain adjustments. Payments made to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the holder complies with applicable certification and identification requirements as to its foreign status.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2018. Based on our determination that the securities are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the securities. However, it is possible that the securities could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the basket components or the securities (for example, upon an Index rebalancing), and following such occurrence the securities could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the basket components or the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the securities and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the securities to become subject to withholding tax, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. The Internal Revenue Service has also indicated that it is considering whether income in respect of instruments such as the securities should be subject to withholding tax. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S. source payments of interest (and OID), dividends, or other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property (including payments at maturity, or upon a redemption or sale) of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“withholdable payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on your behalf) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department certain information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution or otherwise complies with FATCA. In addition, the securities may constitute a “financial account” for these purposes and thus, be subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to FATCA. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on withholdable payments made to a non-financial foreign entity, unless that entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have announced that withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the securities will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. If we determine withholding is appropriate with respect to the securities, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay additional amounts with respect to any FATCA withholding. Therefore, if such withholding applies, any payments on the securities will be significantly less than what you would have otherwise received. Depending on your circumstances, these amounts withheld may be creditable or refundable to you. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding the possible implications of FATCA on your investment in the securities.