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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-227001
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to the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1, the Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, Each Dated September 7, 2018
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$4,950,000
Geared Buffered Notes due February 14,
2022 Linked to the Lesser Performing of
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Royal Bank of Canada is offering Geared Buffered Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the Lesser Performing of two equity indices (each, a “Reference Asset” and collectively, the
“Reference Assets”). The Notes offered are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada, will pay a monthly coupon at the interest rate specified below, and will have the terms described in the documents described above, as supplemented or
modified by this pricing supplement, as set forth below.
The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. All
payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.
Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P7 of this pricing supplement, “Additional Risk Factors
Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-4 of the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, and “Risk Factors” on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018.
The Notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Canadian or
U.S. government agency or instrumentality. The Notes are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this pricing
supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada
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Stock Exchange Listing:
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None
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Trade Date:
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February 10, 2021
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per Note
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Issue Date:
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February 16, 2021
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Coupon Payments:
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The coupon will be paid in monthly installments at the rate of
5.55% per annum
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S&P 500® Index (“SPX”)
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3,911.23
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3,128.98 (80% of the Initial Level, rounded to two decimal places)
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Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
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2,298.998
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1,839.198 (80% of the Initial Level, rounded to three decimal places)
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*For each Reference Asset, the Initial Level is its closing level on February 9, 2021.
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Final Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
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Payment at Maturity (if held to
maturity):
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For each $1,000 principal amount, $1,000 plus any accrued and unpaid interest at maturity, unless the Final Level of either Reference Asset is less than its respective Buffer
Level.
If the Final Level of either Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level, then the investor will receive at maturity, instead of the principal amount, in addition to accrued and unpaid interest,
an amount in cash equal to the sum of:
(a) $1,000 plus (b) the product of (i) $1,000 times (ii) the sum of the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset plus 20% times (iii) the Downside Multiplier:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset + 20%) x (100/80)]
Investors could lose some or all of their investment at maturity if there has been a decline in the level of either Reference Asset below
its Buffer Level.
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Proceeds to Royal Bank of
Canada
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5.55% per
annum
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$4,950,000
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100%
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$0
0%
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$4,950,000
100%
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The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the Trade Date is $986.72 per $1,000 in principal amount, which is less than the price to public. The actual value of the Notes at any time will reflect
many factors, cannot be predicted with accuracy, and may be less than this amount. We describe our determination of the initial estimated value in more detail below.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this pricing supplement, the product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the
prospectus.
General:
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This pricing supplement relates to an offering of Geared Buffered Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of the Reference Assets listed on the cover page.
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Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”)
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Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
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February 10, 2021
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Issue Date:
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February 16, 2021
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Valuation Date:
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February 9, 2022
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Maturity Date:
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February 14, 2022
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Denominations:
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Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter.
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Designated Currency:
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U.S. Dollars
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Coupon Rate:
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5.55% per annum.
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Coupon Payment
Dates:
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The coupon will be paid in monthly installments on March 12, 2021, April 14, 2021, May 13, 2021, June 14, 2021, July 14, 2021,
August 12, 2021, September 14, 2021, October 15, 2021, November 15, 2021, December 14, 2021, January 13, 2022 and the Maturity Date, subject to postponement as set forth in the product supplement.
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Record Dates:
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The record date for each Coupon Payment Date will be the date one business day prior to that scheduled Coupon Payment Date;
provided, however, that any coupon payable at maturity will be payable to the person to whom the payment at maturity will be payable.
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Lesser Performing
Reference Asset:
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The Reference Asset which has the lowest Percentage Change.
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Percentage Change:
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Expressed as a percentage, an amount equal to:
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Initial Levels:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on February 9, 2021, as set forth on the cover page.
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Buffer Levels:
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For each Reference Asset, 80% of its Initial Level, as set forth on the cover page.
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Final Levels:
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For each Underlying Asset, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
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Downside Multiplier:
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100/80, which is 1.25.
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Payment at Maturity (if
held to maturity):
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For each $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes, the investor will receive $1,000 plus any accrued and unpaid interest at maturity, unless the Final Level of either
Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level.
If the Final Level of either Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level, then the investor will receive at maturity, instead of the principal amount of the Notes, in
addition to any accrued and unpaid interest, an amount in cash equal to the sum of:
(a) $1,000 plus (b) the product of (i) $1,000 times (ii) the sum of the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset plus 20% times (iii) the Downside
Multiplier:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset + 20%) x (100/80)]
Investors in the Notes could lose some or all of their investment at maturity if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Asset is less than its Buffer Level.
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Market Disruption
Events:
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The occurrence of a market disruption event (or a non-trading day) as to either of the Reference Assets will result in the postponement of the Valuation Date as to that
Reference Asset, as described in the product prospectus supplement, but not to a non-affected Reference Asset.
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Calculation Agent:
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC
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Secondary Market:
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the Issue Date. The amount that
an investor may receive upon sale of the Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount.
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Listing:
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None
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Settlement:
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DTC global notes
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Terms Incorporated in
the Master Note:
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All of the terms appearing above the item captioned “Secondary Market” on the cover page and on pages P2 and P3 of this pricing supplement and the terms appearing under the caption “General
Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement.
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ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated September 7, 2018, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and the product prospectus supplement
dated September 7, 2018, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H, of which these Notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement will have the meanings given to them in the product prospectus
supplement. In the event of any conflict, this pricing supplement will control. The Notes vary from the terms described in the product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should
read this pricing supplement carefully.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials
including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set
forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, as the Notes involve risks not associated with
conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. You may access these documents on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at
www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
Prospectus Supplement dated September 7, 2018:
Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1 dated September 7, 2018:
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Royal Bank of Canada.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES OF AMOUNTS PAYABLE AT MATURITY
The examples set forth below are provided for illustration purposes only. The assumptions in each of the examples are purely hypothetical and do not relate to the
actual performance of either Reference Asset. The hypothetical terms do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the Final Level of each Reference Asset relative to its Initial Level. We
cannot predict the actual performance of each Reference Asset.
The table below illustrates the Payment at Maturity of the Notes (excluding the final Coupon Payment) for a hypothetical range of performance for the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, assuming an
Initial Level of 100.00, a Buffer Level of 80 and an initial investment of $1,000. For this purpose, we have assumed that there will be no market disruption events. Hypothetical Final Levels of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset are shown in the
first column on the left. The second column shows the Percentage Change for the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. The third column shows the Payment at Maturity as a percentage of the principal amount, rounded to two decimal places. The last
column shows the hypothetical Payment at Maturity per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes.
We make no representation or warranty as to which of the Reference Assets will be the Lesser Performing Reference Asset for purposes of calculating the payment,
if any, we will deliver or pay on the Maturity Date.
Hypothetical
Final Level of the
Lesser
Performing
Reference Asset
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Percentage Change
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Payment at Maturity as
Percentage of Principal
Amount
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Hypothetical
Payment at
Maturity
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150.00
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50.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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130.00
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30.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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120.00
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20.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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110.00
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10.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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100.00
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0.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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90.00
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-10.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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85.00
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-15.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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80.00
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-20.00%
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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75.00
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-25.00%
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93.75%
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$937.50
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70.00
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-30.00%
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87.50%
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$875.00
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60.00
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-40.00%
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75.00%
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$750.00
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50.00
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-50.00%
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62.50%
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$625.00
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30.00
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-70.00%
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37.50%
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375.00
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0.00
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-100.00%
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0.00%
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$0.00
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Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how the payments set forth in the table above are calculated.
Example 1: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset increases by 25% from the Initial Level of
100.00 to the Final Level of 125.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset on the Valuation Date is greater than the Buffer Level, the investor receives at maturity, in addition to any accrued and unpaid Coupon
Payments on the Notes, a cash payment of $1,000 per security, despite the 25% appreciation in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset.
Example 2: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset decreases by 15% from the Initial Level of 100.00 to the Final
Level of 85.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than the Buffer Level, the investor receives at maturity, in addition to any accrued and unpaid Coupon Payments on the Notes, a cash payment of
$1,000 per security, despite the 15% decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset.
Example 3: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset decreases by 50% from the Initial Level of $100.00 to the Final Level of 50.00. Because
the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than the Buffer Level, we will pay an amount in cash that will be calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-50% + 20%) x (100/80)] = $625
* * *
The Payments at Maturity shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on market values for the Reference Assets that may not be achieved on the Valuation Date and on assumptions that may prove
to be erroneous. The actual market value of your Notes on the Maturity Date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your Notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical Payments at Maturity shown above, and those amounts
should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the Notes or on an investment in either Reference Asset. Please read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” and “Hypothetical Returns on Your Notes” in the
accompanying product prospectus supplement.
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Assets. These risks are explained in more detail in the section
“Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” in the product prospectus supplement. In addition to the risks described in the prospectus supplement and the product prospectus supplement, you should consider the following:
Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Notes
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You May Lose Some or All of the Principal Amount at Maturity — Investors in the Notes could lose some or all of their principal amount if there is a decline in the level in
either Reference Asset between the Trade Date and the Valuation Date. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will lose 1.25% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level. The rate of
interest payable on the Notes may not be sufficient to compensate for any such loss.
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The Payments on the Notes Are Limited — The payments on the Notes will be limited to the Coupon Payments. Accordingly, your return
on the Notes may be less than your return would be if you made an investment in the Reference Assets, the securities included in the Reference Assets, or in a security directly linked to the positive performance of the Reference Assets.
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The Amount Payable at Maturity Will Be Determined Solely by Reference to the Lesser Performing Reference Asset Even if the Other Reference Asset Performs Better — The
payment at maturity will be determined solely by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. Even if the Final Level of the other Reference Asset has increased compared to its Initial Level, or has experienced a
decrease that is less than that of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, regardless of the performance of the other Reference
Asset. The Notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk may be mitigated and diversified among each of the basket components. For example, in the case of notes linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the
weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. As a result, the depreciation of one basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of the other basket component, as scaled by the weighting
of that basket component. However, in the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each of the Reference Assets would not be combined, and the depreciation of one Reference Asset would not be mitigated by any appreciation of the
other Reference Asset. Instead your return will depend solely on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. Because each Reference Asset tracks a different segment of the U.S. equities market, they may both decrease in a
comparable manner.
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Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity —The return that you will receive on the Notes, which could be negative,
may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought one of our conventional senior interest bearing debt securities.
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Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Securities Represented by the Reference Assets — The return on your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize
if you actually owned the securities represented by the Reference Assets. For instance, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions on those securities during the term of your Notes. As an
owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Reference Assets may have. Further, the level of one or both of the Reference Assets may increase substantially during the term of the Notes, while
your return on the Notes is limited to the Coupon Payments.
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Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk, and Changes in Our Credit Ratings Are Expected to Affect the Market Value of the Notes — The Notes are our senior
unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of the payments due on the Notes is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations on the applicable payment date. This will be the case even if the levels of the Reference Assets
increase after the date that their Initial Levels were determined. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at any time during the term of the Notes.
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The Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Postponement Due to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments — The Maturity Date and the Valuation Date are subject to adjustment
as to each Reference Asset as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see “General Terms of the
Notes—Market Disruption Events” in the product prospectus supplement.
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The Tax Treatment of the Notes Is Uncertain — The U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in the Notes is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the tax treatment of an investment in the Notes, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this document.
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Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Notes
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There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes – Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses — There
may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM and our other affiliates may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do so. RBCCM or any of our
other affiliates may stop any market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the Notes develops, it may not provide significant liquidity or trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect that transaction costs in
any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and asked prices for your Notes in any secondary market could be substantial.
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Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Notes
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The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value that is set forth on
the cover page of this pricing supplement does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to sell the
Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the levels of the Reference Assets, the borrowing rate we pay to issue
securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the estimated costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are
expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors,
the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the hedging costs relating to the Notes. In addition to
bid-ask spreads, the value of the Notes determined by RBCCM for any secondary market price is expected to be based on the secondary rate rather than the internal funding rate used to price the Notes and determine the initial estimated
value. As a result, the secondary price will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity.
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The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes on the Cover Page of this on the Cover Page of this Pricing Supplement Is an Estimate Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the
Notes Were Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes is based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the Notes, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the Notes. See
“Structuring the Notes” below. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based on
certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.
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The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you
would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
Risks Relating to the Reference Assets
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An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated in Investing in Stocks With a Small Market Capitalization — The Russell
2000® Index consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization
companies. As a result, the level of the Russell 2000® Index may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also
generally more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do
not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are often less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to
loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large-capitalization
companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
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Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest
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We May Issue Research Reports that Are Inconsistent with an Investment in the Note — We or our affiliates may issue research reports on securities that are, or may become,
components of the Reference Assets. We may also publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the levels of the Reference Assets or the value of the Notes, or express opinions or provide
recommendations that may be inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes or with the investment view implicit in the Notes or the Reference Assets. You should make your own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the
Notes and the Reference Assets.
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U.S. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, and supersedes the
discussion in the product supplement under the caption “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” It applies only to those holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying
prospectus. This discussion applies only to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders that will purchase the Notes upon original issuance and will hold the Notes as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not apply to
holders subject to special rules including accrual method taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code.
You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the Notes in your particular
circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
We intend to treat the Coupon Payments as U.S. source income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of any of the component stocks included in the Reference Assets would be treated as a “passive foreign
investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or a “U.S. real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If the issuer of one or more of such
stocks were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a holder. You should refer to any available information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the issuers of the component stock included in
the Reference Assets and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you in this regard, if any.
NO STATUTORY, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY DIRECTLY DISCUSSES HOW THE NOTES 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 NOTES 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 NOTES,
INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
In the opinion of our counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat your Notes as an investment unit consisting of (i) a
non-contingent debt instrument subject to the rules governing short-term debt instruments (as described under “Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—Original Issue Discount—Short-Term Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus) issued by us
to you (the “Short-Term Debt Portion”) and (ii) a put option with respect to the Reference Assets written by you and purchased by us (the “Put Option”). The balance of this disclosure assumes this treatment is proper and will be respected for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to this treatment, 0.21% of each 5.55% coupon payment will be treated as an interest payment and 5.34% of each 5.55% coupon payment will be treated as payment for the Put Option for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
Treatment as an Investment Unit
If your Notes are properly treated as an investment unit consisting of a Short-Term Debt Portion and Put Option, it is likely that the Short-Term Debt Portion of
your Notes would be treated as having been issued for the principal amount of the Notes (if you are an initial purchaser) and that interest payments on the Notes would be treated in part as payments of interest and in part as payments for the Put
Option. Amounts treated as interest would be subject to the general rules governing interest payments on short-term debt securities (as described under “Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—Original Issue Discount—Short-Term Debt Securities” in
the accompanying prospectus) and would be required to be accrued by accrual-basis taxpayers (and cash-basis taxpayers who so elect) on either a straight-line basis or under the constant-yield method, based on daily compounding. Cash-basis taxpayers
(who do not elect to accrue interest currently) would include interest in come upon receipt of such interest. Amounts treated as payment for the Put Option would be deferred and accounted for upon the sale, call, or maturity of the Notes, as
discussed below.
If you were to receive a cash payment of the full principal amount of your Notes upon the call or maturity of your Notes, such payment would likely be treated as (i) payment in full
of the principal amount of the Short-Term Debt Portion (which would not result in the recognition of gain or loss if you are an initial purchaser of your Notes) and (ii) the lapse
of the Put Option which would likely result in your recognition of short-term capital gain in an amount equal to the amount paid to you for the Put Option and
deferred as described above. If you were to receive a cash payment upon the maturity of your Notes (excluding cash received as a Coupon Payment) of less than the full principal amount of your Notes, such payment would likely be treated as (i)
payment in full of the principal amount of the Short-Term Debt Portion (which would not result in the recognition of gain or loss if you are an initial purchaser of your Notes) and (ii) the cash settlement of the Put Option pursuant to which you
paid to us an amount equal to the excess of the principal amount of your Notes over the amount that you received upon the maturity of your Notes (excluding cash received as a Coupon Payment) in order to settle the Put Option. If the aggregate
amount paid to you for the Put Option and deferred as described above is greater than the amount you are deemed to have paid to us to settle the Put Option, you will likely recognize short-term capital gain in an amount that is equal to such
excess. Conversely, if the amount paid to you for the Put Option and deferred as described above is less than the amount you are deemed to have paid to us to settle the Put Option, you will likely recognize short-term capital loss in an amount that
is equal to such difference. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Upon the sale of your Notes, you would be required to apportion the value of the amount you receive between the Short-Term Debt Portion and Put Option on the
basis of the values thereof on the date of the sale. You would recognize gain or loss with respect to the Short-Term Debt Portion in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount apportioned to the Short-Term Debt Portion and (ii) your
adjusted U.S. federal income tax basis in the Short-Term Debt Portion (which would generally be equal to the principal amount of your Notes if you are an initial purchaser of your Notes). Except to the extent attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest with respect to the Short-Term Debt Portion, such gain or loss would be short-term capital gain or loss. If you are a cash basis taxpayer and do not elect to accrue interest currently, your adjusted basis in your Notes should generally be
the purchase price of your Notes. If you are an accrual basis holder, or a cash basis holder that elects to accrue interest on your Notes currently, your adjusted basis in your Notes should generally be the purchase price of your Notes increased
by the amount of accrued interest and decreased by any interest that is paid in respect of the Short-Term Debt Portion.
Upon your sale of the Notes, the amount of cash that you receive that is apportioned to the Put Option (together with any amount of premium received in respect
thereof and deferred as described above) would be treated as short-term capital gain. If the value of the Short-Term Debt Portion on the date of the sale of your Notes is in excess of the amount you receive upon such sale, you would likely be
treated as having made a payment (to the purchaser in the case of a sale) equal to the amount of such excess in order to extinguish your rights and obligations under the Put Option. In such a case, you would likely recognize short-term capital gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the premium you previously received in respect of the Put Option and the amount of the deemed payment made by you to extinguish the Put Option. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
If you are a secondary purchaser of your Notes, you would be required to allocate your purchase price for your Notes between the Short-Term Debt Portion and Put
Option based on the respective fair market values of each on the date of purchase. If the portion of your purchase price allocated to the Short-Term Debt Portion is in excess of the principal amount of your Notes, you may be subject to the
amortizable bond premium rules described in the accompanying prospectus under “Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium” with respect to the Short-Term Debt Portion. If the portion of your purchase price
allocated to the Short-Term Debt Portion is at a discount from the principal amount of the Notes, special market discount rules applicable to short-term debt instruments may apply. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to such rules in
such case. The portion of your purchase price that is allocated to the Put Option would likely be offset for tax purposes against amounts you subsequently receive with respect to the Put Option (including amounts received upon a sale of the Notes
that are attributable to the Put Option), thereby reducing the amount of gain or increasing the amount of loss you would recognize with respect to the Put Option or with respect to the sale of any stock you receive upon the exercise of the Put
Option. If, however, the portion of your purchase price allocated to the Short-Term Debt Portion as described above is in excess of your purchase price for your Notes, you would likely be treated for tax purposes as having received a payment for
the Put Option (which will be deferred as described above) in an amount equal to such excess.
Alternative Characterizations
There is no judicial or administrative authority discussing how your Notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, other treatments would also be reasonable
and the IRS might assert that treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, the IRS might assert that your Notes should be treated as a
single debt instrument as described in “Tax Consequences—United States Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus. Pursuant to such characterization, the Notes
would generally be subject to the rules concerning short-term debt instruments as described under the heading “Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—Original Issue Discount—Short-Term Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. It is also
possible that you may be required to include the entire coupon in income when it is received. Further, your Note may be characterized in whole or in part as a notional principal contract or as a different type of derivative contract. In addition,
if the term of your Notes exceed one year in the event of a market disruption event, your Notes may be treated as notes with a term in excess of one year. In such case, your Notes would be subject to rules applicable to debt instruments with a
term exceeding one year and holders should consult their tax advisors as to the applicable tax consequences for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, the IRS has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. According to the notice, the IRS and the
U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of such instruments should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. While it is not clear whether the Notes would be viewed as similar to such instruments, it is
possible that any future guidance could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of possible alternative characterizations of the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments made with respect to the Notes and proceeds from the call, sale or maturity of the Notes 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 IRS 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 IRS.
Reports will be made to the IRS 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 Notes. You are a non-U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of the Notes and are for U.S. federal
income tax purposes a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.
As discussed above, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes is uncertain and withholding agents may withhold U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or
at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) in respect of interest payments made on the Notes to a non-U.S. holder unless such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the
United States (in which case, to avoid withholding, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide a Form W-8ECI). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. To claim benefits under an income tax treaty, a non-U.S.
holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number and certify as to its eligibility under the appropriate treaty’s limitations on benefits article, if applicable (which certification may generally be made on a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or a
substitute or successor form). In addition, special rules may apply to claims for treaty benefits made by corporate non-U.S. holders. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax
treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. The availability of a lower rate of withholding or an exemption from withholding under an applicable income tax treaty will depend on
the proper characterization of the interest payments under U.S. federal income tax laws and whether such treaty rate or exemption applies to such interest payments. No assurance can be provided on the proper characterization of the interest
payments for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, no assurance can be provided on the availability of benefits under any income tax treaty. Non-U.S. holders must consult their tax advisors in this regard.
If you do not hold your Notes through an account with Royal Bank or its affiliates, the institution through which you hold the Notes may determine to withhold
U.S. federal income tax in respect of interest payments made on the Notes as described above.
Except as discussed below, you will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain upon the sale or maturity of the Notes, provided that (i) you comply
with applicable certification requirements, which certification may be made on Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or a substitute or successor form) on which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a U.S. person and provide your name and
address, (ii) your gain is not
effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business, and (iii) if you are a non-resident alien individual, you are not present in the U.S. for 183
days or more during the taxable year of the sale or maturity of the Notes. In the case of (ii) above, you generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any income or gain in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder and,
if you are a corporation, you 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 your earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively
connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments. Payments made to you may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless you comply with applicable certification and identification
requirements as to your foreign status.
Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30%
U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents
if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a
U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent
payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2023. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding
on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Reference Assets or the
Notes (for example, upon a Reference Asset rebalancing), and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in
respect of a Reference Asset or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend
equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the Notes 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 Notes to become subject to withholding tax, or if we or the institution through which you hold the Notes determine withholding is appropriate under current law, we or
such institution will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. 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.
Individual holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” may be required to include certain information with respect to such assets with their U.S.
federal income tax return. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding such requirements with respect to the Notes.
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 of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including
amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department certain information regarding U.S.
financial account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution or otherwise complies with the legislation. In addition, the Notes may constitute a “financial account” for these
purposes and thus, may be subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to FATCA. FATCA also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the
withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds
or credits of such taxes.
The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed regulations that eliminate the requirement of FATCA withholding on gross proceeds upon the sale or disposition of financial instruments. The
U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that
taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. If we determine withholding is appropriate with respect to the Notes, we will withhold tax at the
applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the
United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the Notes.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSETS
We have derived the following information regarding each of the Reference Assets from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. Neither
we nor our affiliates participate in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to either of the Reference Assets in connection with the
offering of the Notes.
The selection of the Reference Assets is not a recommendation to invest in either Reference Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the Reference Assets.
S&P 500® Index (“SPX”)
This Reference Asset is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of price movements among U.S. large capitalization stocks. The calculation of the level of the Reference Asset is based on the relative value of
the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
S&P calculates the Reference Asset by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the Reference Asset without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the
Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the Reference Asset constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.
Effective with the September 2015 rebalance, consolidated share class lines will no longer be included in the Reference Asset. Each share class line will be subject to public float and liquidity criteria
individually, but the company’s total market capitalization will be used to evaluate each share class line. This may result in one listed share class line of a company being included in the Reference Asset while a second listed share class line of
the same company is excluded.
Computation of the Reference Asset
While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the Reference Asset, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the Payment at
Maturity.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the Reference Asset was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March
2005, S&P began shifting the Reference Asset halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the Reference Asset to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting
stocks for the Reference Asset did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the Reference Asset.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the Reference Asset reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares
that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock’s outstanding shares, other than holdings by “block owners,” were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the Reference Asset.
Generally, these “control holders” will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs,
employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or
greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment
funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country
of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders.
This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign that
company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares and another control group holds 20% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign an IWF of 0.77,
reflecting the fact that 23% of the company’s outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the Reference Asset. Constituents of the
Reference Asset prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines were grandfathered in and continue to be included in the Reference Asset. If a constituent company of the Reference Asset reorganizes
into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the Reference Asset at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The Reference Asset is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the Reference Asset reflects the total market value of all 500 component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941
through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to use and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941
through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941-43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the Reference Asset is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the
“index divisor.” By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the Reference Asset, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the Reference Asset. The index divisor keeps the
Reference Asset comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the Reference Asset, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or
spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the Reference Asset, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the Reference Asset from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the Reference Asset require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the
index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the Reference Asset remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the Reference Asset. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading
and after the calculation of the Reference Asset closing level.
Changes in a company’s total shares outstanding of 5% or more due to public offerings are made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5% or more (for example, due to tender offers, Dutch auctions, voluntary exchange offers, company
stock repurchases, private placements, acquisitions of private companies or non-index companies that do not trade on a major exchange, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations,
at-the-market stock offerings or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are generally announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading the following Friday (one week later). If a 5% or more share change causes a company’s
IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
License Agreement
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks
have been licensed for use by S&P. “Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain
purposes by us. The Reference Asset is a product of S&P and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones
Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or
the ability of the Reference Asset to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the Reference Asset is the licensing of the Reference Asset and certain trademarks, service marks and/or
trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The Reference Asset is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the Notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to
take our needs or the needs of holders of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Reference Asset. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices,
and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Reference Asset will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones
Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it
considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and
competitive with the Notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Reference Asset. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Notes.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE REFERENCE ASSET OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE REFERENCE ASSET OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY
DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS,
TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN
S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
The RTY was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which is wholly owned by London Stock
Exchange Group. Russell began dissemination of the RTY (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the RTY. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The RTY is
designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The
Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the
Notes.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the RTY
All companies eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters
location, and trades on a standard exchange in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the
same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) (“ADDTV”) from all
exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location
of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary location of the company’s revenue for the same cross-comparison and assigns the
company to the appropriate country in a similar fashion. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell
will assign the company to the country in which its headquarters are located unless the country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country. If the country in which its headquarters is located is a BDI, it will be assigned to the country of its
most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar,
Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam,
and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned. “N Shares” issued by companies controlled by mainland Chinese entities, companies or individuals and that are incorporated outside of China are not eligible for inclusion.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the “rank day” in May of each year
(timetable is announced each spring) to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered
eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings (IPOs) each quarter to ensure that new additions to the
institutional investing opportunity set are reflected in representative indexes. A stock added during the quarterly IPO process is considered a new index addition, and therefore must have a closing price on its primary exchange at or above $1.00 on
the last day of the eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing index member does not trade on the rank day, it must price at $1.00 or above on another eligible U.S. exchange to remain eligible.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the rank day in May for those securities being considered at
annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests are used to determine market capitalization. Any other form of shares
such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist,
they are combined to determine total shares outstanding. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share
classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not
eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business development companies), blank check
companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded. Bulletin board, pink sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are
not eligible for inclusion.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the rank day of May of each year, FTSE
Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th,
reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the
most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to
exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
License Agreement
FTSE Russell and Royal Bank have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to Royal Bank, and certain of its affiliates, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use
indices owned and published by FTSE Russell in connection with some securities, including the Notes.
FTSE Russell does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the RTY or any data included in the RTY and has no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions in the RTY. FTSE
Russell makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the calculation agent, holders of the Notes, or any other person or entity from the use of the RTY or any data included in the RTY in connection with the rights licensed
under the license agreement described in this document or for any other use. FTSE Russell makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to
the RTY or any data included in the RTY. Without limiting any of the above information, in no event will FTSE Russell have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, including lost profits, even if notified of the
possibility of these damages.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Notes or any member of the public
regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the RTY to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell’s publication of the RTY in no way suggests or
implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the stocks upon which the RTY is based. FTSE Russell’s only relationship to Royal Bank is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell
and of the RTY, which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to Royal Bank or the Notes. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Notes nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE
Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the RTY. FTSE
Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes.
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are registered trademarks of FTSE Russell in the U.S. and other countries.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The graphs below set forth the information relating to the historical performance of the Reference Assets for the period from January 1, 2011 through February 9, 2021. We obtained the
information in the graphs below from Bloomberg Financial Markets.
We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets. The historical performance of any Reference Asset should not be taken as
an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the levels of the Reference Assets at any time. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Assets will not result in the loss of all or part of
your investment.
Historical Information for the SPX
Historical Information for the RTY
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
Delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on February 16, 2021, which is the third (3rd) business day following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle
being referred to as “T+3”). For additional information as to the relationship between us and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, please see the section “Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interest” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018.
We will deliver the Notes on a date that is greater than two business days following the trade date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to
settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than two business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative
arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, RBC Capital Markets, LLC or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in a market-making transaction
in the Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.
The value of the Notes shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the Notes if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the Notes (which it is
not obligated to do). That estimate will be based upon the price that RBCCM may pay for the Notes in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For a period of approximately three months after the
issue date of the Notes, the value of the Notes that may be shown on your account statement may be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the Notes at that time. This is because the estimated value of the Notes will not include our hedging costs
and profits; however, the value of the Notes shown on your account statement during that period may initially be a higher amount, reflecting the addition of our estimated costs and profits from hedging the Notes. This excess is expected to
decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your Notes, it expects to do so at prices that reflect their estimated value.
Each of RBCCM and any other broker-dealer offering the Notes have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the Notes to, any retail investor in the
European Economic Area (“EEA”) or in the United Kingdom. For these purposes, the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to
enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Notes, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (b)
a customer, within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU)
2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail
investors in the EEA or in the United Kingdom has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
STRUCTURING THE NOTES
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Assets. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our structured notes, the
economic terms of the Notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds
under these Notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. Using this relatively lower implied borrowing rate rather than the secondary
market rate, is a factor that reduced the initial estimated value of the Notes at the time their terms were set. Unlike the estimated value that is included on the cover page of this pricing supplement, any value of the Notes determined for
purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a different funding rate, which may result in a lower value for the Notes than if our initial internal funding rate were used.
In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) on the issue
date with RBCCM or one of our other subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Reference Assets, and the tenor of the
Notes. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
The lower implied borrowing rate is a factor that reduced the economic terms of the Notes to you. The initial offering price of the Notes also reflects the underwriting commission and our estimated
hedging costs. These factors resulted in the initial estimated value for the Notes on the Trade Date being less than their public offering price. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is Less than the Price to
the Public” above.
VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
In the opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, the issue and sale of the Notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank in
conformity with the Indenture, and when the Notes have been duly executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, the Notes will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the Notes
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 Notes 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 September 7, 2018, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.1 to Royal Bank’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC dated September 7, 2018.
In the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, when the Notes have been duly completed in accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the prospectus supplement and the
prospectus, the Notes 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 September 7, 2018, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Bank’s Form 6-K dated September 7, 2018.