424B2 1 dp81578_424b2-k905.htm FORM 424B2

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion dated October 12, 2017.

 

October 2017

Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. K905

Registration Statement No. 333-218604-02

Dated October 12, 2017

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

The securities are unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse, will pay no interest and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of the principal amount. At maturity, if the Underlying has appreciated in value, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment plus leveraged upside performance of the Underlying, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity. If the Underlying has depreciated in value, but the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment. However, if the Underlying has depreciated in value beyond the Buffer Level, investors will lose 1% for each 1% decline in the level of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level beyond the Buffer Amount, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount. Under these circumstances, the Payment at Maturity will be less than the principal amount. You may lose up to $9 per $10 principal amount. The securities are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk a significant portion of their principal and forgo current income and upside above the Maximum Payment at Maturity in exchange for the leverage feature, which applies for a limited range of upside performance of the Underlying, and for the buffer feature.

All payments on the securities, including the repayment of principal, are subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse.

KEY TERMS
Issuer: Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its London branch.
Underlying: S&P 500® Index. For more information on the Underlying, see “The Reference Indices—The S&P Dow Jones Indices—The S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
Aggregate Principal Amount: $
Principal Amount: $10 per security. The securities are offered at a minimum investment of 100 securities at $10 per security (representing a $1,000 investment), and integral multiples of $10 in excess thereof.
Price to Public: $10 per security (see “Commissions and Price to Public” below)
Payment at Maturity: If the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, the lesser of (i) the Maximum Payment at Maturity and (ii) an amount calculated as follows:
  $10 + Leveraged Upside Payment
  In no event will the Payment at Maturity exceed the Maximum Payment at Maturity.
  If the Final Level is less than or equal to the Initial Level but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, $10
  If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, an amount calculated as follows:
  $10 × (Index Performance Factor + Buffer Amount)
  Under these circumstances, the Payment at Maturity will be less than the principal amount of $10. You could lose up to $9 per $10 principal amount.
Leveraged Upside Payment: $10 × Leverage Factor × Index Percent Increase
Index Percent Increase:  

Final Level – Initial Level

Initial Level

 
Index Performance Factor:  

Final Level

Initial Level

 
  Key Terms continued on the following page

Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 7 of this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-3 of any accompanying product supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying underlying supplement, any product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Commissions and Price to Public Price to Public Underwriting Discounts and Commissions Proceeds to Issuer
Per security $10 $0.25 (1)  
    $0.05(2) $9.70
Total $ $ $

(1) We or one of our affiliates may pay to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“MSSB”) varying discounts and commissions of up to $0.30 per $10 principal amount of securities, of which $0.05 per $10 principal amount of securities will be paid as a structuring fee. For more detailed information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.

(2) Reflects a structuring fee payable to MSSB by Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“CSSU”) or one of its affiliates of $0.05 for each security.

The agent for this offering, CSSU, is our affiliate. For more information, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.

Credit Suisse currently estimates the value of each $10 principal amount of the securities on the Trade Date will be between $9.50 and $9.70 (as determined by reference to our pricing models and the rate we are currently paying to borrow funds through issuance of the securities (our “internal funding rate”)). This range of estimated values reflects terms that are not yet fixed. A single estimated value reflecting final terms will be determined on the Trade Date. See “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement.

The securities are not deposit liabilities and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction.

 

Credit Suisse

 

 

 

 

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

Key Terms continued from previous page:
Initial Level:            , which is the closing level of the Underlying on the Trade Date. In the event that the closing level for the Underlying is not available on the Trade Date, the Initial Level will be determined on the immediately following trading day on which a closing level is available.
Final Level: The closing level of the Underlying on the Valuation Date
Leverage Factor: 200%
Maximum Payment at Maturity: Expected to be $11.67 per security (116.70% of the principal amount and to be determined on the Trade Date).
Buffer Amount: 10%
Buffer Level: Expected to be approximately 90% of the Initial Level (to be determined on the Trade Date)
Trade Date: Expected to be on or about October 31, 2017
Settlement Date: Expected to be on or about November 3, 2017 (3 business days after the Trade Date).  Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company.
Valuation Date: April 30, 2020, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.”
Maturity Date: May 5, 2020, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.”
CUSIP/ISIN: 22549D400 / US22549D4007
Listing: The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Distributor: MSSB.  See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution.”
Calculation Agent: Credit Suisse International

 

You may revoke your offer to purchase the securities at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer on the date the securities are priced. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

Additional Terms Specific to the Securities

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the underlying supplement dated June 30, 2017, the product supplement dated June 30, 2017, the prospectus supplement dated June 30, 2017 and the prospectus dated June 30, 2017, relating to our Medium-Term Notes of which these securities are a part. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

Underlying Supplement dated June 30, 2017: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010317006313/dp77765_424b2-undsupp.htm

 

Product Supplement No. I–B dated June 30, 2017: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010317006316/dp77781_424b2-ib.htm

 

Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated June 30, 2017: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000104746917004364/a2232566z424b2.htm

 

In the event the terms of the securities described in this pricing supplement differ from, or are inconsistent with, the terms described in the underlying supplement, any product supplement, the prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this pricing supplement will control.

 

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1053092. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Credit Suisse.

 

This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed above, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, fact sheets, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. We may, without the consent of the registered holder of the securities and the owner of any beneficial interest in the securities, amend the securities to conform to its terms as set forth in this pricing supplement and the documents listed above, and the trustee is authorized to enter into any such amendment without any such consent. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” in any accompanying product supplement , “Foreign Currency Risks” in the accompanying prospectus, and any risk factors we describe in the combined Annual Report on Form 20-F of Credit Suisse Group AG and us incorporated by reference therein, and any additional risk factors we describe in future filings we make with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. You should consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before deciding to invest in the securities.

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

Investment Summary

 

Performance Leveraged Upside Securities

 

Principal at Risk Securities

 

The Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020 can be used:

 

§As an alternative to direct exposure to the Underlying that enhances returns for a certain range of positive performance of the Underlying, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity.

 

§To enhance returns and potentially outperform the Underlying in a moderately bullish scenario.

 

§To achieve similar levels of upside exposure to the Underlying as a direct investment, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity, while using fewer dollars by taking advantage of the Leverage Factor.

 

§To obtain a buffer against a specified level of negative performance in the Underlying.

 

The securities are exposed on a 1:1 basis to the negative performance of the Underlying beyond the Buffer Amount, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount.

 

Maturity: Approximately two years and six months
Buffer Amount: 10%, with 1-to-1 downside exposure beyond the Buffer Amount
Buffer Level: 90% of the Initial Level
Leverage Factor: 200% (applicable only if the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level)
Maximum Payment at Maturity: Expected to be $11.67 per security (116.70% of the principal amount and to be determined on the Trade Date)
Coupon: None

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

Key Investment Rationale

 

The securities offer leveraged exposure to a certain range of positive performance of the S&P 500® Index. In exchange for enhanced performance of 200% of the appreciation of the Underlying, investors forgo performance above the Maximum Payment at Maturity, which is expected to be $11.67 per security (to be determined on the Trade Date). At maturity, if the Underlying has appreciated in value, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment plus leveraged upside performance of the Underlying, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity. If the Underlying has depreciated in value, but the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment. However, if the Underlying has depreciated in value beyond the Buffer Level, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline in the level of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level beyond the Buffer Amount, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount. Under these circumstances, the Payment at Maturity will be less than the principal amount. Investors may lose up to $9 per $10 principal amount. All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse.

 

Leveraged Performance The securities offer investors an opportunity to capture enhanced returns relative to a direct investment in the Underlying within a certain range of positive performance.
Upside Scenario The Underlying increases in value, and, at maturity, you receive a full return of principal as well as 200% of the increase in the value of the Underlying, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity, which is expected to be $11.67 per security (116.70% of the principal amount and to be determined on the Trade Date).  For example, if the Final Level is 3% greater than the Initial Level, the securities will provide a total return of 6% at maturity.
Par scenario The Final Level is equal to or less than the Initial Level but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level.  In this case, you receive the principal amount of $10 at maturity.
Downside Scenario The Underlying declines in value beyond the Buffer Level, and, at maturity, the securities redeem for less than the principal amount by an amount proportionate to the decline in the value of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level beyond the Buffer Level, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount.  For example, if the Final Level is 30% less than the Initial Level, the securities will redeem at maturity for a loss of 20% of principal at $8, or 80% of the principal amount.  You could lose up to $9 per $10 principal amount.

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

How the Securities Work

 

The numbers appearing in the sections below have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

Payoff Diagram

 

The payoff diagram below illustrates the Payment at Maturity on the securities based on the following terms:

 

Principal Amount: $10 per security
Buffer Amount: 10%
Buffer Level: 90% of the Initial Level
Leverage Factor: 200%
Maximum Payment at Maturity: Expected to be $11.67 per security (116.70% of the principal amount and to be determined on the Trade Date)

 

Securities Payoff Diagram

 

See the next page for a description of how the securities work.

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

How it works

 

§Upside Scenario. If the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, the investor would receive the $10 principal amount plus 200% of the appreciation of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level, subject to the Maximum Payment at Maturity. Under the terms of the securities, an investor will realize the Maximum Payment at Maturity at a Final Level of approximately 108.35% of the Initial Level.

 

§If the Underlying appreciates 2%, the investor would receive a 4% return, or $10.40 per security.

 

§If the Underlying appreciates 40%, the investor would receive only the Maximum Payment at Maturity of $11.67 per security, or 116.70% of the principal amount.

 

§Par Scenario. If the Final Level is equal to or less than the Initial Level but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, the investor would receive the $10 principal amount.

 

§Downside Scenario. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, the investor would receive an amount that is less than the $10 principal amount, based on a 1% loss of principal for each 1% decline in the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level beyond the Buffer Level, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount. Under these circumstances, the Payment at Maturity will be less than the principal amount per security.

 

§If the Underlying depreciates 30%, the investor would lose 20% of the investor’s principal and receive only $8 per security at maturity, or 80% of the principal amount.

 

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Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due May 5, 2020

Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

Selected Risk Considerations

 

This section describes the most significant risks relating to the securities. For a complete list of risk factors, please see any accompanying product supplement, prospectus and prospectus supplement. Investors should consult their financial and legal advisers as to the risks entailed by an investment in the securities and the suitability of the securities in light of their particular circumstances.

 

§The investment in the securities may result in a loss. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will lose 1% of your principal for each 1% decline in the Final Level as compared to the Initial Level beyond the Buffer Level, subject to a minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the principal amount. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.

 

§Regardless of the amount of any payment you receive on the securities, your actual yield may be different in real value terms. Inflation may cause the real value of any payment you receive on the securities to be less at maturity than it is at the time you invest. An investment in the securities also represents a forgone opportunity to invest in an alternative asset that generates a higher real return. You should carefully consider whether an investment that may result in a return that is lower than the return on alternative investments is appropriate for you.

 

§Limited appreciation potential. If the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, for each $10 principal amount of securities, you will be entitled to receive at maturity the lesser of (i) the Maximum Payment at Maturity and (ii) the sum of $10 and the Leveraged Upside Payment, which will equal the product of (a) $10, (b) the Leverage Factor and (c) the percentage change of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level. The Payment at Maturity will not exceed the Maximum Payment at Maturity, regardless of the appreciation in the level of the Underlying, which may be significant.

 

§The securities are subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities and, therefore, if we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities. 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 value of the securities prior to maturity.

 

§The securities do not pay interest. We will not pay interest on the securities. You may receive less at maturity than you could have earned on ordinary interest-bearing debt securities with similar maturities, including other of our debt securities, since the Payment at Maturity at maturity is based on the performance of the Underlying. Because the Payment at Maturity due at maturity may be less than the amount originally invested in the securities, the return on the securities (the effective yield to maturity) may be negative. Even if it is positive, the return payable on each security may not be enough to compensate you for any loss in value due to inflation and other factors relating to the value of money over time.

 

§The probability that the Final Level will be less than the Buffer Level will depend on the volatility of the Underlying. “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of the Underlying. The greater the expected volatility with respect to the Underlying on the Trade Date, the higher the expectation as of the Trade Date that the Final Level could be less than the Buffer Level, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. The terms of the securities are set, in part, based on expectations about the volatility of the Underlying as of the Trade Date. The volatility of the Underlying can change significantly over the term of the securities. The level of the Underlying could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlying and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal at maturity.

 

§Hedging and trading activity. We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the securities, including in instruments related to the Underlying. We or our affiliates may also trade instruments related to the Underlying from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities as of the Trade Date and during the term of the securities could adversely affect our payment to you at maturity.

 

§The estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date may be less than the Price to Public. The initial estimated value of your securities on the Trade Date (as determined by reference to our pricing models and our internal funding rate) may be significantly less than the original Price to Public. The Price to Public of the securities includes any discounts or commissions as well as transaction costs such as expenses incurred to create, document and market the securities and the cost of hedging our risks as issuer of the securities through one or more of our affiliates (which includes a projected profit). These costs will be effectively borne by you as an investor in the securities. These amounts will be retained by Credit Suisse or our affiliates in connection with our structuring and offering of the securities (except to the extent discounts or commissions are reallowed to other broker-dealers or any costs are paid to third parties).

 

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Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 


On the Trade Date, we value the components of the securities in accordance with our pricing models. These include a fixed income component valued using our internal funding rate, and individual option components valued using mid-market pricing. As such, the payout on the securities can be replicated using a combination of these components and the value of these components, as determined by us using our pricing models, will impact the terms of the securities at issuance. Our option valuation models are proprietary. Our pricing models take into account factors such as interest rates, volatility and time to maturity of the securities, and they rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.

 

Because Credit Suisse’s pricing models may differ from other issuers’ valuation models, and because funding rates taken into account by other issuers may vary materially from the rates used by Credit Suisse (even among issuers with similar creditworthiness), our estimated value at any time may not be comparable to estimated values of similar securities of other issuers.

 

§Effect of interest rate in structuring the securities. The internal funding rate we use in structuring notes such as these securities is typically lower than the interest rate that is reflected in the yield on our conventional debt securities of similar maturity in the secondary market (our “secondary market credit spreads”).  If on the Trade Date our internal funding rate is lower than our secondary market credit spreads, we expect that the economic terms of the securities will generally be less favorable to you than they would have been if our secondary market credit spread had been used in structuring the securities. We will also use our internal funding rate to determine the price of the securities if we post a bid to repurchase your securities in secondary market transactions. See “—Secondary Market Prices” below.

 

§Secondary market prices. If Credit Suisse (or an affiliate) bids for your securities in secondary market transactions, which we are not obligated to do, the secondary market price (and the value used for account statements or otherwise) may be higher or lower than the Price to Public and the estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date. The estimated value of the securities on the cover of this pricing supplement does not represent a minimum price at which we would be willing to buy the securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The secondary market price of your securities at any time cannot be predicted and will reflect the then-current estimated value determined by reference to our pricing models and other factors. These other factors include our internal funding rate, customary bid and ask spreads and other transaction costs, changes in market conditions and any deterioration or improvement in our creditworthiness. In circumstances where our internal funding rate is lower than our secondary market credit spreads, our secondary market bid for your securities could be more favorable than what other dealers might bid because, assuming all else equal, we use the lower internal funding rate to price the securities and other dealers might use the higher secondary market credit spread to price them. Furthermore, assuming no change in market conditions from the Trade Date, the secondary market price of your securities will be lower than the Price to Public because it will not include any discounts or commissions and hedging and other transaction costs. If you sell your securities to a dealer in a secondary market transaction, the dealer may impose an additional discount or commission, and as a result the price you receive on your securities may be lower than the price at which we may repurchase the securities from such dealer.

 

We (or an affiliate) may initially post a bid to repurchase the securities from you at a price that will exceed the then-current estimated value of the securities. That higher price reflects our projected profit and costs that were included in the Price to Public, and that higher price may also be initially used for account statements or otherwise. We (or our affiliate) may offer to pay this higher price, for your benefit, but the amount of any excess over the then-current estimated value will be temporary and is expected to decline over a period of approximately three months.

 

The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments and any sale prior to maturity could result in a substantial loss to you. You should be willing and able to hold your securities to maturity.

 

§Credit Suisse is subject to Swiss regulation. As a Swiss bank, Credit Suisse is subject to regulation by governmental agencies, supervisory authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Switzerland. Such regulation is increasingly more extensive and complex and subjects Credit Suisse to risks. For example, pursuant to Swiss banking laws, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) may open resolution proceedings if there are justified concerns that Credit Suisse is over-indebted, has serious liquidity problems or no longer fulfills capital adequacy requirements. FINMA has broad powers and discretion in the case of resolution proceedings, which include the power to convert debt instruments and other liabilities of Credit Suisse into equity and/or cancel such liabilities in whole or in part. If one or more of these measures were imposed, such measures may adversely affect the terms and market value of the securities and/or the ability of Credit Suisse to make payments thereunder and you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities.

 

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Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

§Lack of liquidity. The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities when you wish to do so. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) is willing to buy the securities. If you have to sell your securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to do so or you may have to sell them at a substantial loss.

 

§Potential conflicts. We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the securities, including acting as calculation agent and as agent of the issuer for the offering of the securities, hedging our obligations under the securities and determining their estimated value. In performing these duties, the economic interests of us and our affiliates are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. For instance, as calculation agent, Credit Suisse International will determine the Initial Level and the Payment at Maturity. Moreover, certain determinations made by Credit Suisse International, in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor underlying or calculation of the closing level in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the Underlying. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. In addition, hedging activities by us or our affiliates on or prior to the Trade Date could potentially increase the Initial Level, and therefore, could increase the level at or above which the Underlying must close so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the Underlying on the Valuation Date. Further, hedging activities may adversely affect any payment on or the value of the securities. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we and our affiliates receive for the sale of the securities, which creates an additional incentive to sell the securities to you.

 

§Unpredictable economic and market factors will affect the value of the securities. The payout on the securities can be replicated using a combination of the components described in “The estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date may be less than the Price to Public.” Therefore, in addition to the level of the Underlying, the terms of the securities at issuance and the value of the securities prior to maturity may be influenced by factors that impact the value of fixed income securities and options in general such as:

 

othe expected and actual volatility of the Underlying;
  
othe time to maturity of the securities;
  
othe dividend rate on the equity securities included in the Underlying;
  
ointerest and yield rates in the market generally;
  
oinvestors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;
  
ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the components included in the Underlying or markets generally and which may affect the level of the Underlying; and
  
oour creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.

 

Some or all of these factors may influence the price that you will receive if you choose to sell your securities prior to maturity. The impact of any of the factors set forth above may enhance or offset some or all of any change resulting from another factor or factors.

 

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§No ownership rights relating to the Underlying. Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the equity securities that comprise the Underlying. The return on your investment is not the same as the total return you would receive based on the purchase of the equity securities that comprise the Underlying. For example, as a holder of the securities, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights with respect to the equity securities that comprise the Underlying.

 

§Adjustments to the Underlying could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the Underlying may add, delete or substitute the component stocks of the Underlying or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the Underlying. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the Underlying may also discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the Underlying at any time. In these circumstances, Credit Suisse International, as the calculation agent, will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor underlying that is comparable to the discontinued Underlying. Credit Suisse International could have an economic interest that is different than that of investors in the securities insofar as, for example, Credit Suisse International is permitted to consider Underlyings that are calculated and published by Credit Suisse International or any of its affiliates. If Credit Suisse International determines that there is no appropriate successor underlying on the Valuation Date, the amount payable at maturity will be based on the value of the Underlying, based on the closing prices of the stocks constituting the Underlying at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing or substitution, computed by Credit Suisse International as calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the Underlying last in effect prior to such discontinuance, as compared to the Initial Level.

 

§The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the securities are not certain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of instruments with terms that are substantially the same as those of the securities. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, and the tax treatment described under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” is not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the securities are not certain.

 

Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging

 

We intend to use the proceeds of this offering for our general corporate purposes, which may include the refinancing of existing debt outside Switzerland. Some or all of the proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities may be used in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our affiliates. Such hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of the securities (including on any calculation date, as defined in any accompanying product supplement) could adversely affect the value of the Underlying and, as a result, could decrease the amount you may receive on the securities at maturity. For additional information, see “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in any accompanying product supplement.

 

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S&P 500® Index Overview

 

The S&P 500® Index, which is calculated, maintained and published by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”), consists of stocks of 500 component companies selected to provide a performance benchmark for the U.S. equity markets. The calculation of the S&P 500® Index is based on the relative value of the float-adjusted aggregate market capitalization of the 500 component companies as of a particular time as compared to the aggregate average market capitalization of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. S&P has announced that, effective with the September 2015 rebalance, consolidated share class lines are no longer included in the S&P 500® Index. Each share class line is subject to public float and liquidity criteria individually, but the company’s total market capitalization is used to evaluate each share class line for purposes of determining index membership eligibility. This may result in one listed share class line of a company being included in the S&P 500® Index while a second listed share class line of the same company is excluded. In addition, as of July 31, 2017, the securities of companies with multiple shares class structures are no longer eligible to be added to the S&P 500® Index, but securities already included in the S&P 500® Index have been grandfathered and are not affected by this change. The change also does not affect any new public company spun off from a current constituent of the S&P 500® Index.

 

Information as of market close on October 10, 2017:

 

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: SPX
Current Closing Level: 2,550.64
52 Weeks Ago (on 10/8/2016): 2,153.74
52 Week High (on 10/5/2017): 2,552.07
52 Week Low (on 11/4/2016): 2,085.18

 

The following graph sets forth the daily closing levels of the Underlying for the period from January 3, 2012 through October 10, 2017. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of the Underlying for each quarter in the same period. The closing level of the Underlying on October 10, 2017 was 2,550.64. We obtained the information in the table and graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent verification. You should not take the historical values of the Underlying as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the Underlying on the Valuation Date.

 

For additional information about the S&P 500® Index, see “The Reference Indices—The S&P Dow Jones Indices—S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement.

 

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S&P 500® Index Daily Closing Levels

January 3, 2012 to October 10, 2017

 

S&P 500® Index High Low Period End
2012      
First Quarter 1,416.51 1,277.06 1,408.47
Second Quarter 1,419.04 1,278.04 1,362.16
Third Quarter 1,465.77 1,334.76 1,440.67
Fourth Quarter 1,461.40 1,353.33 1,426.19
2013      
First Quarter 1,569.19 1,457.15 1,569.19
Second Quarter 1,669.16 1,541.61 1,606.28
Third Quarter 1,725.52 1,614.08 1,681.55
Fourth Quarter 1,848.36 1,655.45 1,848.36
2014      
First Quarter 1,878.04 1,741.89 1,872.34
Second Quarter 1,962.87 1,815.69 1,960.23
Third Quarter 2,011.36 1,909.57 1,972.29
Fourth Quarter 2,090.57 1,862.49 2,058.90
2015      
First Quarter 2,117.39 1,992.67 2,067.89
Second Quarter 2,130.82 2,057.64 2,063.11
Third Quarter 2,128.28 1,867.61 1,920.03
Fourth Quarter 2,109.79 1,923.82 2,043.94
2016      
First Quarter 2,063.95 1,829.08 2,059.74
Second Quarter 2,119.12 2,000.54 2,098.86
Third Quarter 2,190.15 2,088.55 2,168.27
Fourth Quarter 2,271.72 2,085.18 2,238.83
2017      
First Quarter 2,395.96 2,257.83 2,362.72
Second Quarter 2,453.46 2,328.95 2,423.41
Third Quarter 2,519.36 2,409.75 2,519.36
Fourth Quarter (through October 10, 2017) 2,552.07 2,529.12 2,550.64

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion summarizes material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities that may be relevant to holders of the securities that acquire their securities from us as part of the original issuance of the securities. This discussion applies only to holders that hold their securities as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Further, this discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your individual circumstances or if you are subject to special rules, such as if you are:

 

·a financial institution,

 

·a mutual fund,

 

·a tax-exempt organization,

 

·a grantor trust,

 

·certain U.S. expatriates,

 

·an insurance company,

 

·a dealer or trader in securities or foreign currencies,

 

·a person (including traders in securities) using a mark-to-market method of accounting,

 

·a person who holds the securities as a hedge or as part of a straddle with another position, constructive sale, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction,

 

·a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or

 

·an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The discussion is based upon the Code, law, regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and foreign laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.

 

You should consult your tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of the securities, including the application of federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws based on your particular facts and circumstances.

 

Characterization of the Securities

 

There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the securities or instruments with terms that are substantially the same as those of your securities. Thus, the characterization of the securities is not certain. Our special tax counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, has advised that the securities should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as prepaid financial contracts, with respect to the Underlying, that are eligible for open transaction treatment. In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, we intend to treat the securities and, by acceptance of the securities, you agree to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization and the balance of this discussion assumes that the securities will be so treated.

 

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You should be aware that the characterization of the securities as described above is not certain, nor is it binding on the IRS or the courts. Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your securities in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described below. For example, the IRS might assert that the securities are debt instruments, which may result in adverse tax consequences. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible tax consequences of characterization of the securities as debt instruments. Generally, the securities are not, and we do not expect that the securities will be, listed on a securities exchange. In the event the securities are listed on a securities exchange and the IRS seeks to characterize your securities as options, the securities would be characterized as Code section 1256 contracts. In such case, the securities would be marked-to-market at the end of the year and 40% of any gain or loss would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 60% of any gain or loss would be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the securities for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.

 

You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of your securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

U.S. Holders

 

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, means a beneficial owner of securities that is (1) a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust, if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) such trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such partnership and a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership, or a partner of a partnership, holding securities, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you from the partnership’s purchase, ownership and disposition of the securities.

 

In accordance with the agreed-upon tax treatment described above, upon the redemption, sale or other taxable disposition of a security, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the security. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss in the case of a U.S. Holder that has held the security for more than one year (excluding the look back observation period, if applicable) at the time of disposition and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.

 

Medicare Tax

 

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, and trusts must pay a 3.8% tax (the “Medicare Tax”) on the lesser of the U.S. Holder’s (1) “net investment income” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust and (2) the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a certain specified threshold for the taxable year. “Net investment income” generally includes income from interest, dividends, and net gains from the disposition of property (such as the securities) unless such income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that is a passive activity with respect to the taxpayer or a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities). Net investment income may be reduced by allowable deductions properly allocable to such gross income or net gain. Any interest earned or deemed earned on the securities and any gain on sale or other taxable disposition of the securities will be subject to the Medicare Tax. If you are an individual, estate, or trust, you should consult with your tax advisor regarding application of the Medicare Tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the securities.

 

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Securities Held Through Foreign Entities

 

Under certain provisions of the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act,” generally referred to as “FATCA,” and regulations thereunder, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on “withholdable payments” and certain “passthru payments” made to “foreign financial institutions” (as defined in the regulations or an applicable intergovernmental agreement) (and their more than 50% affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees, among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the institution’s affiliates) and to annually report certain information about such account. The term “withholdable payments” generally includes (1) payments of fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income (“FDAP”), in each case, from sources within the United States, and (2) gross proceeds from the sale of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States. “Passthru payments” means any withholdable payment and any foreign passthru payment. To avoid becoming subject to the 30% withholding tax on payments to it, a financial institution may be required to report information to the IRS regarding the holders of the securities. In the case of holders who (i) fail to provide the relevant information, (ii) are foreign financial institutions who have not agreed to comply with these information reporting requirements, or (iii) hold the securities directly or indirectly through such non-compliant foreign financial institutions, a payor may be required to withhold on a portion of payments under the securities. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. If payments on the securities are determined to be from sources within the United States, such payments will be treated as withholdable payments for these purposes.

 

Withholding under FATCA will apply to all withholdable payments and certain passthru payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment is a U.S. person, or would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from the imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or pursuant to U.S. domestic law. Unless a foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner of a payment, it will be subject to refund or credit in accordance with the same procedures and limitations applicable to other taxes withheld on FDAP payments provided that the beneficial owner of the payment furnishes such information as the IRS determines is necessary to determine whether such beneficial owner is a U.S.-owned foreign entity and the identity of any substantial U.S. owners of such entity. If such withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

 

Subject to the exceptions described below, FATCA’s withholding regime generally will apply to (i) withholdable payments (other than gross proceeds of the type described above and certain payments made with respect to a “preexisting obligation,” as defined in the regulations), (ii) payments of gross proceeds of the type described above with respect to a sale or disposition occurring after December 31, 2018, and (iii) foreign passthru payments made after the later of December 31, 2018, or the date that final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of FATCA discussed above generally will not apply to (a) with respect to foreign passthru payments, any obligation (other than an instrument that is treated as equity for U.S. tax purposes or that lacks a stated expiration or term) that is executed on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which final regulations defining foreign passthru payments are published (a “grandfathered obligation”), (b) any obligation that produces withholdable payments solely because the obligation is treated as giving rise to a dividend equivalent pursuant to Code section 871(m) and the regulations thereunder that is executed on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which obligations of its type are first treated as giving rise to dividend equivalents, and (c) any agreement requiring a secured party to make payments with respect to collateral securing one or more grandfathered obligations (even if the collateral is not itself a grandfathered obligation). Thus, if you hold your securities through a foreign financial institution or foreign entity, a portion of any of your payments may be subject to 30% withholding.

 

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Information Reporting Regarding Specified Foreign Financial Assets

 

The Code and regulations thereunder generally require individual U.S. Holders (“specified individuals”) and “specified domestic entities” with an interest in any “specified foreign financial asset” to file an annual report on IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset, including the maximum value thereof, for any taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year or $75,000 at any time during the taxable year. Certain individuals are permitted to have an interest in a higher aggregate value of such assets before being required to file a report. Specified foreign financial assets include, with some limited exceptions, any financial account maintained at a foreign financial institution and any debt or equity interest in a foreign financial institution, including a financial institution organized under the laws of a U.S. possession, and any of the following that are held for investment and not held in an account maintained by a financial institution: (1) any stock or security issued by a person other than a U.S. person (including a person organized in a U.S. possession), (2) any financial instrument or contract that has an issuer or counterparty that is other than a U.S. person (including a person organized in a U.S. possession), and (3) any interest in a foreign entity. Additionally, the regulations provide that specified foreign financial assets include certain retirement and pension accounts and non-retirement savings accounts.

 

Pursuant to the regulations and subject to certain exceptions, “specified domestic entities” are domestic corporations, domestic partnerships, or certain trusts that are formed or used for the purposes of holding, directly or indirectly, specified foreign financial assets. Generally, specified domestic entities are certain corporations and partnerships, which are closely held by a specified individual and that meet passive income or passive asset tests, and, with certain exceptions, domestic trusts that have one or more specified individuals or specified domestic entities as a current beneficiary.

 

Depending on the aggregate value of your investment in specified foreign financial assets, you may be obligated to file an IRS Form 8938 under this provision if you are an individual U.S. Holder or a specified domestic entity. Penalties apply to any failure to file IRS Form 8938. In the event a U.S. Holder (either a specified individual or specified domestic entity) does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such U.S. Holder for the related tax year may not close before the date which is three years after the date such information is filed. You should consult your tax advisor as to the possible application to you of this information reporting requirement and the related statute of limitations tolling provision.

 

Non-U.S. Holders Generally

 

Except as provided under “Securities Held Through Foreign Entities” and “Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments,” payments made to a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”) and that has no connection with the United States other than holding its securities will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. Any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the securities by a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such Non-U.S. Holder or (2) in the case of an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met. Any effectively connected gains described in clause (1) above realized by a Non-U.S. Holder that is, or is taxable as, a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis with respect to their investment in the securities should refer to the discussion above relating to U.S. Holders.

 

Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments

 

The Code and regulations thereunder treat a “dividend equivalent” payment as a dividend from sources within the United States. Unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty with the United States, such payments generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%. A “dividend equivalent” payment is defined under the Code as (i) a substitute dividend payment made pursuant to a securities lending or a sale-repurchase transaction that (directly or indirectly) is contingent upon, or determined by reference to, the payment of a dividend from sources within the United States, (ii) a payment made pursuant to a “specified notional principal contract” (a “specified NPC”) that (directly or indirectly) is contingent upon, or determined by reference to, the payment of a dividend from sources within the United States, and (iii) any other payment determined by the IRS to be substantially similar to a payment described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).

 

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Regulations provide that a dividend equivalent is any payment that references the payment or deemed payment of (i) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction, (ii) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a specified NPC, (iii) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a specified equity-linked instrument (a “specified ELI”), and (iv) any other substantially similar payment. The regulations provide that a payment includes a dividend equivalent payment whether there is an explicit or implicit reference to a dividend with respect to the underlying security. An underlying security is any interest in an entity if a payment with respect to that interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend pursuant to Treasury regulation section 1.861-3. An NPC is a notional principal contract as defined in Treasury regulation section 1.446-3(c). An equity-linked instrument (“ELI”) is a financial instrument (other than a securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction or an NPC) that references the value of one or more underlying securities, including a futures contract, forward contract, option, debt instrument, or other contractual arrangement. A “section 871(m) transaction” is any securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction, specified NPC, or specified ELI.

 

Pursuant to the regulations and Notice 2017-42, for any payment made on or after January 1, 2017 with respect to any transaction issued on or after January 1, 2017, any NPC or ELI that has a delta of one with respect to an underlying security when the NPC or ELI is issued is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively. For any payment made on or after January 1, 2019 with respect to any transaction issued on or after January 1, 2019, (a) a “simple” NPC or “simple” ELI that has a delta of 0.8 or greater with respect to an underlying security when the NPC or ELI is issued is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively, and (b) a “complex” NPC or “complex” ELI that meets a substantial equivalence test with respect to an underlying security at the time of issuance is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively.

 

Certain events could cause previously issued securities to be deemed to be issued as new securities for purposes of the effective dates provided in the regulations. For example, it is possible that the IRS could assert that a reconstitution or rebalancing of the Underlying is a significant modification of the securities due to an exercise of discretion with respect to such reconstitution or rebalancing and, therefore, a deemed issuance of the securities upon the occurrence of such event. It is also possible that U.S. withholding tax could apply to the securities under these rules if a Non-U.S. Holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the Underlying or the securities. A Non-U.S. Holder that enters, or has entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlying or the securities should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of Code section 871(m) to its securities in the context of its other transactions.

 

Withholding on payments will be based on actual dividends or, if otherwise notified by us in accordance with applicable regulations, on estimated dividends used in pricing the security. If an adjustment is made for the actual dividends, then the true-up payment (in addition to the estimated dividend) is added to the per-share dividend amount. If a transaction is a section 871(m) transaction, information regarding the amount of each dividend equivalent, the delta of the potential 871(m) transaction, the amount of any tax withheld and deposited, the estimated dividend amount and any other information necessary to apply the regulations will be provided, communicated, or made available to Non-U.S. Holders in a manner permitted by the applicable regulations.

 

In accordance with the regulations and Notice 2017-42, U.S. tax will be withheld on any portion of a payment or deemed payment (including, if appropriate, the payment of the purchase price) that is a dividend equivalent with respect to any security issued (or deemed issued) on or after January 1, 2017 and prior to January 1, 2019 that has a delta of one unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty and a properly executed IRS Form W-8 (or other qualifying documentation) is provided. Based on the terms of the securities and representations provided by us, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities (exclusive of any other transactions that may be combined with the securities as discussed herein) should not be treated as “delta-one transactions” with respect to an underlying security within the meaning of the regulations and, as a result, we do not intend to treat the securities as section 871(m) transactions. If withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. These regulations are extremely complex. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of these regulations and whether payments or deemed payments on the securities constitute dividend equivalent payments.

 

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U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders

 

A security may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual Non-U.S. Holder holds the security at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a Non-U.S. Holder domiciled outside the United States includes only property situated in the United States. Individual Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the securities at death.

 

Potential Changes to the Tax Rules for Financial Instruments

 

Members of Congress have from time to time proposed legislation relating to financial instruments, including legislation that would require holders to annually mark to market affected financial instruments (potentially including the securities). These or other potential changes in law could adversely affect the tax treatment of the securities and may be applied with retroactive effect. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding how any such potential changes in law could affect you.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

A holder of the securities (whether a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder) may be subject to backup withholding with respect to certain amounts paid to such holder unless it provides a correct taxpayer identification number, complies with certain certification procedures establishing that it is not a U.S. Holder or establishes proof of another applicable exemption, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. You can claim a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability for amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, and amounts in excess of your liability are refundable if you provide the required information to the IRS in a timely fashion. A holder of the securities may also be subject to information reporting to the IRS with respect to certain amounts paid to such holder unless it (1) is a Non-U.S. Holder and provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8 (or other qualifying documentation) or (2) otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. If such withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

 

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Supplemental Plan of Distribution

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a distribution agreement dated May 7, 2007, as amended, which we refer to as the distribution agreement, we have agreed to sell the securities to CSSU. The distribution agreement provides that CSSU is obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.

 

CSSU may offer the securities at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement and may receive varying underwriting discounts and commissions of up to $0.30 per $10 principal amount of securities. MSSB and its financial advisors will collectively receive from CSSU varying discounts and commissions of up to $0.30 for each security they sell, of which $0.05 per $10 principal amount of securities reflects a structuring fee. CSSU may reallow some or all of the discount on the principal amount per security on sales of such securities by other brokers or dealers. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.

 

An affiliate of Credit Suisse has paid or may pay in the future a fixed amount to broker dealers in connection with the costs of implementing systems to support these securities.

 

We expect to deliver the securities against payment for the securities on the Settlement Date indicated herein, which may be a date that is greater than two business days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the Settlement Date is more than two business days after the Trade Date, purchasers who wish to transact in the securities more than two business days prior to the Settlement Date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

 

The agent for this offering, CSSU, is our affiliate. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, CSSU may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by CSSU or one of its affiliates in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities.

 

For further information, please refer to “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” in any accompanying product supplement.

 

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Contact

 

MSSB clients may contact their local Morgan Stanley branch office or Morgan Stanley’s principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone number (212) 761-4000). All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third-party distributors may contact Morgan Stanley Structured Investment Sales at (800) 780-2731.

 

 

 

 

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