FWP 1 e41590fwp.htm FWP

Filed pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-158199-10
January 12, 2011


Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) ETN

Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) Exchange Traded Notes (the “ETNs”) are senior, unsecured debt securities issued by Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its Nassau Branch that are linked to the return of a market index. Investors can trade the ETNs on an exchange at market price. The ETNs are designed to provide investors with the returns of the Merger Arbitrage strategy as represented by the Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) (the “CS MA Liquid Index” or the “Index”), an index that is calculated intraday and aims to gain broad exposure to the merger arbitrage strategy.

Note Details

ETN Ticker CSMA

Intraday indicative value CSMA.IV
ticker  

Bloomberg index ticker CSLABMN

CUSIP 22542D845

Primary Exchange NYSE Arca

ETN Annual Investor Fee 0.55%

ETN Inception date October 1, 2010

Underlying Index Credit Suisse Merger
  Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net)


 

Merger Arbitrage Strategy Focus

  • Designed to capture the spread, if any, between the price at which the stock of a company, the target, trades after a proposed acquisition of such target is announced, and the price which the acquiring company, the acquirer, has proposed to pay for the target.

  • Potential gains realized when deals are completed, and potential losses incurred when deals break.

Index Performance Characteristics
(December 31, 2009 – December 31, 2010)

  Arbitrage Liquid Index
  (Net)

1 Month 2.24%

3 Month 0.24%

6 Month 3.58%

YTD 7.50%

Annualized Volatility 4.84%

Sharpe Ratio 1.52

 

The above graph sets forth the historical performance of the Index from December 2009 through December 2010. The index rules were revised on September 1, 2010 and therefore, the index performance and Index levels prior to such date do not reflect the modification of the index rules that took place on that date. Historical performance is not indicative of future performance. Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) includes 0.50% p.a. of index calculation fees. The above graph includes this index calculation fee but does not include the investor fee associated with the ETNs which will reduce the amount of the return on the ETNs at maturity or upon repurchase by Credit Suisse.

Sources: Credit Suisse Alternative Capital, Inc. (“Credit Suisse”), Bloomberg. All data was obtained from publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Credit Suisse AG has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources and makes no representations of warranties as to accuracy, completeness or reliability of such information. Indexes are unmanaged, assume reinvestment of dividends or interest and do not reflect the deduction of fees and expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee or indicator of future results. Note: Sharpe ratio calculated using U.S. 90 day Treasury Bills.


Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) ETN

CS MA Liquid Index Overview

  • The CS MA Liquid Index attempts to employ the merger arbitrage strategy by using a quantitative methodology to track a dynamic basket of securities held as long or short positions and cash weighted in accordance with the index rules to reflect publicly announced merger and acquisition transactions that meet certain qualifying conditions.

  • The algorithm has been determined by an index committee taking into consideration quantitative research into systematic ways of achieving certain risk return profiles by using alternative investing techniques.

  • The Index is calculated intraday and benefits from transparent rules-based construction.


 

CSMA Liquid Index Model – The Index Methodology*

Liquidity
Constraints
Narrow deal universe to include only North American and Western European merger and acquisition deals with the following liquidity features:
  Target has market cap of > $500 M
  Target has sufficient trading volume
  Acquirer for stock, and cash and stock deals is easy to borrow
 
Arbitrage
Constraints
Apply systematic constraints intended to ensure deals have arbitrage potential:
  Positive acquisition premium
  Offer is for substantially all shares outstanding of target
  Acquirer does not already own substantially all of the target’s shares
 
Weight and
Rebalancing
Incorporate rebalancing procedure and risk constraints:
  Rebalancing occurs when an index component is added to the Index
  Deals are asset weighted and capped
  Leverage and short exposure are constrained
  Turnover is controlled through rebalancing procedures

* The above index methodology is a general summary of the rules governing the Index and exceptions to this summary may apply under certain defined circumstances. Please see the full description of the Index in the applicable pricing supplement.

Selected Investment Considerations

  • We have listed the ETNs on NYSE Arca under the symbol “CSMA”. If an active secondary market in the ETNs develops, we expect that investors will purchase and sell the ETNs primarily in this secondary market. We have no obligation to maintain this listing on NYSE Arca or any listing on any other exchange, and may delist the ETNs at any time.

  • Although the return on the ETNs will be based on the performance of the CS MA Liquid Index, the payment of any amount due on the ETNs, including any payment at maturity, is subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. Investors are dependant on Credit Suisse’s ability to pay all amounts due on the ETNs, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk. In addition, any decline in our credit ratings, any adverse changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness or any increase in our credit spreads is likely to adversely affect the market value of the ETNs prior to maturity.

  • The performance of the CS MA Liquid Index may not be entirely representative of the performance of the merger arbitrage strategy and there is no assurance that the strategy on which the Index is based will be successful.

 
  • The return at maturity or upon repurchase will be reduced by the fees and charges associated with the ETN and the Index. Therefore, the level of the Index must increase by an amount sufficient to offset the applicable fees and charges.

  • The ETNs do not have a minimum redemption or repurchase amount and are fully exposed to any decline in the CS L/S Liquid Index. Furthermore, the return at maturity or upon repurchase will be reduced by the fees and charges associated with the ETNs and the Index. Therefore, the level of the Index must increase by an amount sufficient to offset the applicable fees and charges.

  • Tax consequences of the ETNs are uncertain and potential investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ETNs.

  • An investment in the ETNs involves significant risks. The selected risk factors herein are not intended as a complete description of all risks associated with the ETNs. For further information regarding risks, please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the applicable pricing supplement.

 
 
For Additional Information  
Americas Effeson Hailemichael +1 212 325 4285
  Griffin Wetmore +1 212 538 8495

Email ir.betastrategies@credit-suisse.com
Website www.credit-suisse.com/notes  

Credit Suisse AG ("Credit Suisse") has filed a registration statement (including prospectus supplement and prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering of securities. Before you invest, you should read the applicable pricing supplement, the Prospectus Supplement dated March 25, 2009, and Prospectus dated March 25, 2009, to understand fully the terms of the notes and other considerations that are important in making a decision about investing in the securities. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Credit Suisse, any agent or dealer participating in an offering will arrange to send you the applicable pricing supplement, relevant product supplement if applicable, prospectus supplement and prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free 1 (800) 221-1037.

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