424B2 1 ef20027495_424b2.htm RBC PS US1008 78017FUV3


Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-275898











Pricing Supplement
Dated April 22, 2024
To the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-ES-1, the Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, Each Dated December 20, 2023

$1,000,000
Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute
Return Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Common Stocks Due April 27, 2026
Royal Bank of Canada




Royal Bank of Canada is offering Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of two common stocks.
Reference Stock

Initial Stock Price

 Buffer Price
 Microsoft Corporation (“MSFT”)

$400.96

$320.77, which is 80% of its Initial Stock Price*
Tesla, Inc. (“TSLA”)

$142.05

$113.64, which is 80% of its Initial Stock Price
* Rounded to two decimal places.

If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock (as defined below) is greater than its Initial Stock Price, the Notes will pay at maturity a return equal to 211.30% of the Percentage Change.

If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than or equal to its Initial Stock Price, but is greater than or equal to its Buffer Price, the Notes will pay a one-for-one positive return equal to the absolute value of its Percentage Change.

If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than its Buffer Price, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount of the Notes for each 1% that its Final Stock Price has decreased below its Buffer Price.

All payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.

The Notes do not pay interest.

The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Issue Date: April 25, 2024
Maturity Date: April 27, 2026
CUSIP: 78017FUV3
Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P-8 of this pricing supplement, and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-4 of the product prospectus supplement and on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement, each dated December 20, 2023.
The Notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Canadian or U.S. government agency or instrumentality. The Notes are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this pricing supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Per Note

Total
Price to public(1)
100.00%

$1,000,000
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
0.70%

$7,000
Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada
99.30%

$993,000
(1) We or one of our affiliates may pay varying selling concessions of up to $7.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker dealers. Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their underwriting discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts may be between $993 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the Trade Date was $976.57 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



 


Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
Royal Bank of Canada

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.

Issuer:
Royal Bank of Canada (the “Bank”)

Underwriter:
RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”)

Reference Stocks:
The common stock of Microsoft Corporation (“MSFT”) and the common stock of Tesla, Inc. (“TSLA”).

Minimum
Investment:
$1,000 and minimum denominations of $1,000 in excess thereof

Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
April 22, 2024

Issue Date:
April 25, 2024

Valuation Date:
April 22, 2026

Maturity Date:
April 27, 2026, subject to extension for market and other disruptions, as described in the product prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023.

Interest Payments:
None. No payments will be made on the Notes prior to the maturity date.

Payment at
Maturity
(if held to
maturity):
 
If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is greater than its Initial Stock Price (that is, its Percentage Change is positive), then the investor will receive an amount in cash per $1,000 principal amount per Note equal to:
Principal Amount + [Principal Amount x (Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock x Upside Participation Rate)]
If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than or equal to its Initial Stock Price, but is greater than or equal to its Buffer Price (that is, its Percentage Change is between 0.00% and -20.00%), then the investor will receive an amount in cash per $1,000 principal amount per Note equal to:
Principal Amount + [Principal Amount x (-1 x Percentage Change of Lesser Performing Reference Stock)]
In this case the return on the Notes will be positive, even if the price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock has decreased.
If the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than its Buffer Price (that is, its Percentage Change is less than -20%), then the investor will receive a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount per Note equal to:
Principal Amount + [Principal Amount x (Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock + Buffer Percentage)]
In this case, you may lose some or a significant portion of the principal amount.


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Percentage
Change:
The Percentage Change of each Reference Stock, expressed as a percentage, is calculated using the following formula:

Lesser Performing
Reference Stock:
The Reference Stock with the lowest Percentage Change.

Initial Stock Price:
The closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on the Trade Date, as set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement.

Final Stock Price:
The closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on the Valuation Date.

Upside
Participation Rate:
211.30%

Buffer Percentage:
20%

Buffer Price:
80% of the Initial Stock Price, as set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement.

Principal at Risk:
The Notes are NOT principal protected. You may lose a substantial portion of your principal amount at maturity if the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than its Buffer Price.

Stock Settlement:
Not applicable. Payments on the Notes will be made only in cash.

Market Disruption
Events:
The occurrence of a market disruption event (or a non-trading day) as to a Reference Stock will result in the postponement of the Valuation Date as to that Reference Stock, as described in the product prospectus supplement, but not to any non-affected Reference Stock.

Calculation Agent:
RBCCM

U.S. Tax
Treatment:
By purchasing a Note, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the Notes as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract linked to the Reference Stocks for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the section below, “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” and the discussion (including the opinion of Ashurst LLP, our special U.S. tax counsel) in the product prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023, under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” which apply to the Notes.
 
Secondary Market:
 
RBCCM (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the issue date. The amount that you may receive upon sale of your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount of your Notes.
 
Listing:
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
 
Clearance and
Settlement:
DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as described under “Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the prospectus dated December 20, 2023).


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Terms
Incorporated in the
Master Note:
All of the terms appearing on the cover page and above the item captioned "Secondary Market" in this section and the terms appearing under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement, as modified by this pricing supplement.


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Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
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ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated December 20, 2023, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023 and the product prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series J, 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 and in the product prospectus supplement, each dated December 20, 2023, 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 December 20, 2023:
Prospectus Supplement dated December 20, 2023:
Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-ES-1 dated December 20, 2023:
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.


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HYPOTHETICAL RETURNS
The examples set out below are included for illustration purposes only. The hypothetical Percentage Changes of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock used to illustrate the calculation of the Payment at Maturity (rounded to two decimal places) are not estimates or forecasts of the Final Stock Prices or the prices of the Reference Stocks on any trading day prior to the Maturity Date. All examples are based on the Buffer Percentage of 20% (the Buffer Price of each Reference Stock is 80% of its Initial Stock Price), the Upside Participation Rate of 211.30%, and assume that a holder purchased Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1,000 and that no market disruption event occurs on the Valuation Date.
Hypothetical Percentage Changes of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock are shown in the first column on the left. The second column shows the corresponding Payment at Maturity for these Percentage Changes, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes. The third column shows the Payment at Maturity to be paid on the Notes per $1,000 in principal amount.
Hypothetical Percentage Change of the
Lesser Performing Reference Stock
Payment at Maturity as Percentage of
Principal Amount
Payment at Maturity per $1,000
in Principal Amount
50.00%
205.65%
$2,056.50
40.00%
184.52%
$1,845.20
30.00%
163.39%
$1,633.90
20.00%
142.26%
$1,422.60
10.00%
121.13%
$1,211.30
5.00%
110.56%
$1,105.65
0.00%
100.00%
$1,000.00
-5.00%
105.00%
$1,050.00
-10.00%
110.00%
$1,100.00
-15.00%
115.00%
$1,150.00
-20.00%
120.00%
$1,200.00
-30.00%
90.00%
$900.00
-40.00%
80.00%
$800.00
-50.00%
70.00%
$700.00
-60.00%
60.00%
$600.00
-70.00%
50.00%
$500.00
-80.00%
40.00%
$400.00
-90.00%
30.00%
$300.00
-100.00%
20.00%
$200.00


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Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
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The following hypothetical examples illustrate how the payments at maturity set forth in the table above are calculated.
Example 1 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is positive.

Percentage Change:
2%

Payment at Maturity:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (2% x 211.30%)] = $1,000 + $42.26 = $1,042.26

On a $1,000 investment, a 2% Percentage Change results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,042.26, a return of 4.226% on the Notes.
Example 2 —
 
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is negative (but not by more than the Buffer Percentage).

Percentage Change:
-10%

Payment at Maturity:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-1 x -10%)] = $1,000 + $100 = $1,100

On a $1,000 investment, a -10% Percentage Change results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,100, a return of 10% on the Notes.

In this case, even though the Percentage Change is negative, you will receive a positive return equal to the absolute value of the Percentage Change.
Example 3 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is negative (by more than the Buffer Percentage).

Percentage Change:
-40%

Payment at Maturity:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-40% + 20%)] = $1,000 - $200 = $800

On a $1,000 investment, a -40% Percentage Change results in a Payment at Maturity of $800, a return of -20% on the Notes.


P-7
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Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
Royal Bank of Canada

SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Stocks. These risks are explained in more detail in the section “Risk Factors” in the product prospectus supplement. In addition to the risks described in the prospectus supplement and the product prospectus supplement, you should consider the following:
Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Notes

You May Receive Less than the Principal Amount at Maturity –– Investors in the Notes could lose a substantial portion of their principal amount if the Final Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock is less than its Buffer Price. In such a case, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of the Notes for each 1% that its Final Stock Price is less than its Buffer Price.

The Notes Do Not Pay Interest and Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity –– There will be no periodic interest payments on the Notes as there would be on a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security having the same maturity. The return that you will receive on the Notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Even if your return is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased one of our conventional senior interest bearing debt securities.

Your Potential Payment at Maturity on the Downside Is Limited ––If the Lesser Performing Reference Stock decreases in value, but its Final Stock Price is not less than its Buffer Price, your maximum payment at maturity will be $1,200 (reflecting a Percentage Change of -20%).

Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk, and Changes in Our Credit Ratings Are Expected to Affect the Market Value of the Notes –– The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of any amounts due on the Notes is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations at that time. This will be the case even if the prices of the Reference Stocks increase or decrease after the Trade Date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at maturity of the Notes.

The Notes Are Linked to the Lesser Performing Reference Stock, Even if the Other Reference Stock Performs Better — Your return on the Notes will be determined solely based on the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock. For example, even if the Final Stock Price of the other Reference Stock has increased significantly compared to its respective Initial Stock Price, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Stock.

Your Payment on the Notes Will Be Determined by Reference to Each Reference Stock Individually, Not to a Basket, and the Payment at Maturity Will Be Based on the Performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock — The Payment at Maturity will be determined only by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Stock. 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 Stocks would not be combined, and the depreciation of one Reference Stock would not be mitigated by any appreciation of the other Reference Stocks. Instead, your return will depend solely on the Final Stock Price of the Lesser Performing Reference Stock. Accordingly, if the Final Stock Price of either Reference Stock is less than its Buffer Price, you will incur a loss of principal on the Notes.


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Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Notes

There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes—Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses –– There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM or any of our other affiliates may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do so. RBCCM or any of our 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.
Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Notes

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 prices of the Reference Stocks, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the underwriting discount and the estimated costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the underwriting discount or 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.

The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes that Is Set Forth 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.
The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest and Our Trading Activities

Our Business Activities and Those of Our Affiliates May Create Conflicts of Interest –– We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Stocks that are not for the account of holders of the Notes or on their behalf. These trading activities may present a conflict between the holders’ interests in the Notes and the interests we and our affiliates will have in their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including options and other derivatives transactions, for their customers and in accounts under their management. These trading activities, if they influence the prices of the Reference Stocks, could be adverse to the interests of the holders of the Notes. We and one or more of our affiliates may, at present or in the future, engage in business with the issuers of the Reference Stocks (the ‘‘Reference Stock Issuers’’), including making loans to or providing advisory services. These services could include investment banking and merger and acquisition advisory


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services. These activities may present a conflict between our or one or more of our affiliates’ obligations and your interests as a holder of the Notes. Moreover, we and our affiliates may have published, and in the future expect to publish, research reports with respect to the Reference Stocks. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes. Any of these activities may affect the prices of the Reference Stocks and, therefore, the market value of the Notes.
Risks Relating to the Reference Stocks

Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Reference Stocks –– The return on your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the Reference Stocks. For example, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions on the Reference Stocks during the term of your Notes; accordingly, an investment in the Notes may return less than an actual investment in the Reference Stocks. As an owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Reference Stocks may have. Furthermore, the Reference Stocks may appreciate substantially during the term of the Notes, and you will not fully participate in such appreciation.

There Is No Affiliation Between the Reference Stock Issuers and RBCCM, and RBCCM Is Not Responsible for any Disclosure by the Reference Stock Issuers — We are not affiliated with the Reference Stock Issuers. However, we and our affiliates may currently, or from time to time in the future engage, in business with the Reference Stock Issuers. Nevertheless, neither we nor our affiliates assume any responsibilities for the accuracy or the completeness of any information that any other company prepares. You, as an investor in the Notes, should make your own investigation into the Reference Stocks. The Reference Stock Issuers are not involved in this offering and has no obligation of any sort with respect to your Notes. The Reference Stock Issuers have no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including when taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of your Notes.

The Reference Stocks Are Concentrated in One Sector — Both Reference Stocks are issued by companies in the technology sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the Reference Stocks, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.

The Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Postponement Due to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments –– The payments on the Notes are subject to adjustment as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” in the product prospectus supplement.


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INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE STOCK ISSUERS
The Reference Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Companies with securities registered under that Act are required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information filed with the SEC can be obtained through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding the Reference Stock Issuers may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
None of those documents are included or incorporated by reference in this document. The following information regarding the Reference Stock Issuers is derived from publicly available information.
We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of reports filed by the Reference Stock Issuers with the SEC, information published by the on their website or in any other format, information about it obtained from any other source or the information provided below.
Microsoft Corporation (“MSFT”)
Microsoft Corporation operates as a software company. The company offers applications, extra cloud storage, and security solutions.
The company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “MSFT.”
Tesla, Inc. (“TSLA”)
Tesla Inc. operates as an automotive and clean energy company. The company designs and manufactures electric vehicles, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar roof tiles, and related products and services. The company owns its sales and service network and sells electric power train components to other automobile manufacturers.
The company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “TSLA.”


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HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The graphs below set forth information relating to the historical performance of the Reference Stocks from January 1, 2014 to April 22, 2024. We obtained the information in the graphs from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent investigation.
Microsoft Corporation (“MSFT”)
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.


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Tesla, Inc. (“TSLA”)
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.


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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following disclosure supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference, directly or indirectly, 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 Internal Revenue Service (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, 2025. 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, 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 Stock 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.


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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
Delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on April 25, 2024, which is the third (3rd) business day following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus dated December 20, 2023. For additional information as to the relationship between us and RBCCM, please see the section “Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interest” in the prospectus dated December 20, 2023.
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 settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
In the initial offering of the Notes, they will be offered to investors at a purchase price equal to par, except with respect to certain accounts as indicated on the cover page of this document. In addition to the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, we or one of our affiliates may also pay an expected fee to a broker-dealer that is unaffiliated with us for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering.
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 does not include the underwriting discount or 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 RBCCM’s underwriting discount and our estimated costs and profits from hedging the Notes. This excess is expected to decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your Notes, it expects to do so at prices that reflect their estimated value.
We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, RBCCM 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.


P-15
RBC Capital Markets, LLC


 


Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
Royal Bank of Canada

STRUCTURING THE NOTES
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Stocks. 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 set forth 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 Stocks, 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 discount 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.


P-16
RBC Capital Markets, LLC


 


Buffered Enhanced Return Notes with Absolute Return
Royal Bank of Canada

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
In the opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, as Canadian counsel to the Bank, 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 federal laws of Canada applicable therein, will be valid obligations of the Bank, subject to the following limitations: (i) the enforceability of the Indenture may be limited by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (ii) the enforceability of the Indenture is subject to general equitable principles, including the principle that the availability of equitable remedies, such as specific performance and injunction, may only be granted at the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; (iii) under applicable limitations statutes generally, including that the enforceability of the Indenture will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and such counsel expresses no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the Indenture to be unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under such applicable limitations statutes; (iv) rights to indemnity and contribution under the Notes or the Indenture which may be limited by applicable law; and (v) courts in Canada are precluded from giving a judgment in any currency other than the lawful money of Canada and such judgment may be based on a rate of exchange in existence on a day other than the day of payment, 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 therein. 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 to such counsel’s reliance on the Bank and other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the opinion letter of such counsel dated December 20, 2023, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Bank’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC dated December 20, 2023.
In the opinion of Ashurst 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 the Bank, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and subject to general principles of equity, public policy considerations and the discretion of the court before which any suit or proceeding may be brought. 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 December 20, 2023, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.4 to the Bank’s Form 6-K dated December 20, 2023.



P-17
RBC Capital Markets, LLC