RBC Capital Markets®		Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement No. 333-208507
Pricing Supplement Dated October 27, 2017 To the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-ETF-1 Dated January 11, 2016, the Prospectus Supplement Dated January 8, 2016, and the Prospectus Dated January 8, 2016			$600,000 Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Exchange Traded Funds, Due May 2, 2022 Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada is offering Barrier Booster Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of two exchange traded funds (each, a “Reference Asset” and collectively, the “Reference Assets”). The Notes offered are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada and will have the terms described in the documents described above, as supplemented or modified by this pricing supplement. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

* Rounded to two decimal places.

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.

Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the product prospectus supplement dated January 11, 2016, on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement dated January 8, 2016, and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P-7 of this pricing supplement.

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.

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.

⁽¹⁾Certain dealers who purchased the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may have foregone some or all of their underwriting discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts was between $972.50 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.

The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the date of this pricing supplement is $928.74 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, which we refer to as RBCCM, acting as agent for Royal Bank of Canada, received a commission of $27.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes and used a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers of up to $27.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes. The other dealers may forgo, in their sole discretion, some or all of their selling concessions. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

SUMMARY

The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this pricing supplement, the product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus.

 

 

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES

You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated January 8, 2016, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated January 8, 2016 and the product prospectus supplement dated January 11, 2016, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series G, of which these Notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement will have the meanings given to them in the product prospectus supplement. In the event of any conflict, this pricing supplement will control. The Notes vary from the terms described in the product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should read this pricing supplement carefully.

This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement dated January 8, 2016 and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated January 11, 2016, 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 January 8, 2016:

Prospectus Supplement dated January 8, 2016:

Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-ETF-1 dated January 11, 2016:

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Royal Bank of Canada.

 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

The table set out below is included for illustration purposes only. The table illustrates the hypothetical Redemption Amount of the Notes for a hypothetical range of performance for the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, assuming the following terms:

* The hypothetical Initial Level of 1,000.00 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual Initial Level of either Reference Asset. The actual Initial Levels for each Reference Asset is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. We make no representation or warranty as to which of the Reference Assets will be the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. It is possible that the Final Level of each Reference Asset will be less than its Initial Level.

Hypothetical Final Levels are shown in the first column on the left. The second column shows the Redemption Amount for a range of Final Levels of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset on the Valuation Date. The third column shows the Redemption Amount to be paid on the Notes per $1,000 in principal amount.

 

Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

The following hypothetical examples illustrate how the payments at maturity set forth in the table above are calculated.

Example 1: The price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset increases by 10% from the Initial Level of 1,000.00 to its Final Level of 1,100.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than the Initial Level, but the Percentage Change is less than the Booster Coupon, the investor receives at maturity, a cash payment of $1,430.00 per Note, corresponding to the Booster Coupon.

Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset x Booster Coupon)

=$1,000 + ($1,000 x 43%) = $1,430

Example 2: The price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset increases by 50% from the Initial Level of 1,000.00 to its Final Level of 1,500.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than the Initial Level, and the Percentage Change is greater than the Booster Coupon, the investor receives at maturity, a cash payment

Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 x 50%) = $1,500.00

Example 3: The price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset decreases by 15% from the Initial Level of 1,000.00 to its Final Level of 850.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than its Barrier Level of 700.00, the investor receives at maturity, the principal amount despite the 15% decline in the share price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset.

Example 4: The price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is 400.00 on the Valuation Date, which is less than its Barrier Level of 700.00. Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than its Barrier Level of 700.00, we will pay only $400.00 for each $1,000 in the principal amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Reference Asset Return of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 x -60.00%) = $1,000 - $600.00 = $400.00

* * *

The Payments at Maturity shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on prices of the Reference Assets that may not be achieved on the Valuation Date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your Notes on the Maturity Date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your Notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical Redemption Amounts shown above, and those amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the Notes or on an investment in the securities included in either Reference Asset.

 

SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS

An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Assets. These risks are explained in more detail in the section “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement. In addition to the risks described in the prospectus supplement and the product prospectus supplement, you should consider the following:

·

Principal at Risk – Investors in the Notes could lose all or a substantial portion of their principal amount if there is a decline in the share price of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset between the Pricing Date and the Valuation Date of more than 30%. You will lose one percent of the principal amount of your Notes for each one percent that the Lesser Performing Reference Asset has declined if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than its Barrier Level.

·

Your Redemption Amount Will Be Determined Solely by Reference to the Lesser Performing Reference Asset Even if the Other Reference Asset Performs Better – Your Redemption Amount will be determined solely by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. Even if the Final Level of the other Reference Asset has increased compared to its Initial Level, or has experienced a decrease that is less than that of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Asset.

·

The Notes Do Not Pay Interest and Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity – You will not receive any 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. Your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of Royal Bank.

·

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 Royal Bank’s senior unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of the Redemption Amount is dependent upon Royal Bank’s ability to repay its obligations at that time. This will be the case even if the share prices of the Reference Assets increase after the Pricing Date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at the maturity of 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 and other affiliates of Royal Bank may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do so. RBCCM or any other affiliate of Royal Bank 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.

·

Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Reference Assets — The return on your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Reference Assets. For instance, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions on those securities during the term of your Notes. As an owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Reference Assets may have.

·

The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value 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 share prices of the Reference Assets, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the 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 and 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 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 Pricing Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.

·

Inconsistent Research — Royal Bank or its affiliates may issue research reports on the Reference Assets or on securities that are, or may become, components of the Reference Assets. We may also publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the share prices of the Reference Assets or the value of the Notes, or express opinions or provide recommendations that may be inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes or with the investment view implicit in the Notes or the Reference Assets. You should make your own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the Notes and the Reference Assets.

·

Market Disruption Events and Adjustments – The Redemption Amount and the Valuation Date are subject to adjustment as to each Reference Asset as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” in the product prospectus supplement.

·

Each Reference Asset and its Underlying Index Are Different — The performance of each Reference Asset may not exactly replicate the performance of its underlying index, because each Reference Asset will reflect transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of its underlying index. It is also possible that the performance of each Reference Asset may not fully replicate or may in certain circumstances diverge significantly from the performance of its underlying index due to the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, the performance of any derivative instruments contained in such Reference Asset or due to other circumstances. Each Reference Asset may use futures contracts, options, swap agreements, currency forwards and repurchase agreements in seeking performance that corresponds to its underlying index and in managing cash flows.

During periods of market volatility, securities underlying each Reference Asset may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of a Reference Asset and the liquidity of a Reference Asset may be adversely affected. This kind of market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to create and redeem shares of a Reference Asset. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of a Reference Asset. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of such Reference Asset may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of such Reference Asset. For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of each Reference Asset may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as the net asset value per share of such Reference Asset, which could materially and adversely affect the value of the Notes in the secondary market and/or reduce your payment at maturity

·

Adjustments to the Reference Asset Could Adversely Affect the Notes — The advisor of the Reference Assets, BlackRock Fund Advisors (the “Advisor”), is responsible for calculating and maintaining the Reference Asset. The Advisor can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising the Reference Asset. The Advisor may make other methodological changes that could change the share price of the Reference Asset at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation of the amount payable at maturity may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely affect the amount payable at maturity and/or the market value of the Notes.

·

We Have No Affiliation with the Index Sponsor and Will Not Be Responsible for Any Actions Taken by the Index Sponsor — The sponsor of the underlying index for each Reference Asset is not our affiliate and will not be involved in the offering of the Notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of the index sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The index sponsor has no obligation of any sort with respect to the Notes. Thus, the index sponsor has no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that might affect the value of the Notes. None of our proceeds from the issuance of the Notes will be delivered to the index sponsor.

·

We and Our Affiliates Do Not Have Any Affiliation with the Advisor and Are Not Responsible for its Public Disclosure of Information — We and our affiliates are not affiliated with the Advisor in any way and have no ability to control or predict its

 

actions, including any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding its methods or policies relating to the Reference Assets. The Advisor is not involved in the offering of the Notes in any way and has no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of the Notes in taking any actions relating to the Reference Assets that might affect the value of the Notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has independently verified the adequacy or accuracy of the information about the Advisor or the Reference Assets contained in any public disclosure of information. You, as an investor in the Notes, should make your own investigation into the Reference Assets.

·

The Reference Asset Is Subject to Management Risks — The Reference Assets are subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Advisor’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. For example, the Advisor may invest a portion of the Reference Assets’ assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which the Advisor believes will help the Reference Asset track the relevant industry or sector.

·

Our Business Activities May Create Conflicts of Interest — We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Assets or the securities held by the Reference Assets 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 Assets, 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 securities held by the Reference Assets, including making loans to or providing advisory services. These services could include investment banking and merger and acquisition advisory 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 Assets. 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 by us or one or more of our affiliates may affect the price of the Reference Assets, and, therefore, the market value of the Notes.

·

An Investment in Notes Linked to the Reference Assets Is Subject to Risks Associated with Foreign Securities Markets — The underlying indices of the Reference Assets track the value of certain foreign equity securities. You should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets comprising the underlying indices may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.

Prices of securities in foreign countries are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that apply in those geographical regions. These factors, which could negatively affect those securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility and political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments in the region. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.

·

Emerging Markets Risk — Investments in securities linked directly or indirectly to emerging market equity securities, such as the EEM, involve many risks, including, but not limited to: economic, social, political, financial and military conditions in the emerging market; regulation by national, provincial, and local governments; less liquidity and smaller market capitalizations than exist in the case of many large U.S. companies; different accounting and disclosure standards; and political uncertainties. Stock prices of emerging market companies may be more volatile and may be affected by market developments differently than U.S. companies. Government intervention to stabilize securities markets and cross-shareholdings may affect prices and volume of trading of the securities of emerging market companies. Economic, social, political, financial and military factors could, in turn, negatively affect such companies’ value. These factors could include changes in the emerging market government’s economic and fiscal policies, possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to the emerging market companies or investments in their securities, and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies. Moreover, emerging market economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in a variety of ways, including growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources

 

and self-sufficiency. You should carefully consider the risks related to emerging markets, to which the Notes are highly susceptible, before making a decision to invest in the Notes.

·

The Notes Are Subject to Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk — The share price of each Reference Asset will fluctuate based upon its net asset value, which will in turn depend in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the stocks held by the Reference Asset are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks held by each Reference Asset are traded. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar. If the dollar strengthens against these currencies, the net asset value of a Reference Asset will be adversely affected and its price may decrease.

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSETS

We have derived the following information regarding each of the Reference Assets from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with any of the Reference Assets and the Reference Assets will have no obligations with respect to the Notes. Neither we nor our affiliates participate in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to any of the Reference Assets in connection with the offering of the Notes. There can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this document, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described below, that would affect the trading prices of the shares of any of the Reference Assets have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning any of the Reference Assets could affect the price of the shares of the applicable Reference Asset after the Pricing Date, and therefore could affect the payment at maturity.

The selection of the Reference Assets is not a recommendation to buy or sell the shares of either Reference Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the shares of any of the Reference Assets. Information provided to or filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to each Reference Asset may be obtained through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios (the “iShares Funds”), including the applicable Reference Asset. Each of the Reference Assets seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of their respective underlying indices. The Reference Assets typically earn income from dividends from securities held by the Reference Assets. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the Reference Assets’ shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Reference Assets realizes capital gains or losses whenever they sell securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to their respective shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the applicable notes are linked only to the share price of the applicable Reference Asset, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the applicable Reference Asset or any equivalent payments.

“iShares^®” and “BlackRock^®” are registered trademarks of BlackRock^®. The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BlackRock^®, or by any of the iShares^® Funds. Neither BlackRock^® nor the iShares^® Funds make any representations or warranties to the owners of any of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in any of the Notes. Neither BlackRock^® nor the iShares^® Funds shall have any obligation or liability in connection with the registration, operation, marketing, trading, or sale of any of the Notes or in connection with our use of information about any of the Reference Assets or any of the iShares^® Funds.

iShares^® MSCI EAFE ETF (the “EFA”)

The iShares^® MSCI EAFE ETF trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “EFA.” The Advisor employs a technique known as representative sampling to track the MSCI EAFE Index. The EFA generally invests at least 90% of its assets in the securities of the MSCI EAFE Index and in American Depositary Receipts or Global Depositary Receipts based on the securities of the MSCI EAFE Index. The EFA may invest the remainder of its assets in securities not included in the MSCI EAFE Index, but which the Advisor believes will help the EFA track the MSCI EAFE Index, or in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options and swaps related to the MSCI EAFE Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds affiliated with the Advisor or its affiliates. The Advisor will waive portfolio management fees in an amount equal to the portfolio management fees of such other iShares funds for any portion of the EFA’s assets invested in shares of such other funds.

The MSCI EAFE Index

The information below is included only to give insight to the MSCI EAFE Index, the performance of which the EFA attempts to reflect. The Notes are linked to the performance of the EFA and not to the MSCI EAFE Index. We have derived all information contained in this document regarding the MSCI EAFE Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. The MSCI EAFE Index is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated daily by MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, through numerous data vendors, on the MSCI website and in real time on Bloomberg Financial Markets and Reuters Limited. Neither MSCI nor Morgan Stanley has any obligation to continue to calculate and publish, and may discontinue calculation and publication of the MSCI EAFE Index

The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index with a base date of December 31, 1969 and an initial value of 100. The MSCI EAFE Index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MSCI EAFE Index currently consists of the following 21 developed countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The MSCI EAFE Index is comprised of companies in both the Large Cap Index and Mid Cap Index, as discussed in the section “—Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market” below. The MSCI EAFE Index is part of the MSCI Regional Equity Indices series and is an MSCI Global Investable Market Index, which is a family within the MSCI International Equity Indices.

 

iShares^® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (the “EEM”)

The EEM trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “EEM.” The Advisor employs a technique known as representative sampling to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The EEM generally invests at least 90% of its assets in the securities of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and in American Depositary Receipts or Global Depositary Receipts based on the securities of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The EEM may invest the remainder of its assets in securities not included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, but which the Advisor believes will help the EEM track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, or in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options and swaps related to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds affiliated with the Advisor or its affiliates. The Advisor will waive portfolio management fees in an amount equal to the portfolio management fees of such other iShares funds for any portion of the EEM’s assets invested in shares of such other funds.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index

The information below is included only to give insight to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the performance of which the EEM attempts to reflect. The Notes are linked to the performance of the EEM and not to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We have derived all information contained in this document regarding the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated daily by MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, through numerous data vendors, on the MSCI website and in real time on Bloomberg Financial Markets and Reuters Limited. Neither MSCI nor Morgan Stanley has any obligation to continue to calculate and publish, and may discontinue calculation and publication of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is intended to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index with a base date of December 31, 1987 and an initial value of 100. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index currently consists of the following 23 emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is part of the MSCI Regional Equity Indices series and is an MSCI Global Investable Market Index, which is a family within the MSCI International Equity Indices.

General – MSCI Indices

MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure equity performance in international markets and the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging, and frontier markets.

MSCI enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The Enhanced MSCI Standard Indices are composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents of the transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.

Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:

·

defining the equity universe;

·

determining the market investable equity universe for each market;

·

determining market capitalization size segments for each market;

·

applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;

·

creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and

·

classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).

Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:

·

Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”). All listed equity securities, including Real Estate Investment Trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Conversely, mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives and most investment trusts are not eligible for inclusion in the equity universe.

·

Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.

Effective with the November 2015 semi-annual index review, companies traded outside of their country of classification (i.e., “foreign listed companies”) became eligible for inclusion in the MSCI Country Investable Market Indexes along with the applicable MSCI Global Index. In order for a MSCI Country Investable Market Index to be eligible to include foreign listed companies, it must meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement. To meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement, the aggregate market capitalization of all securities represented by foreign

 

listings should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant MSCI Country Investable Market Index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index.

Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes. A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable market indices methodology.

The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:

·

Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization.

·

Equity Universe Minimum Free Float−Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float−adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement.

·

DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float−adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to measure liquidity. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an EM.

·

Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”) must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe.

·

Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least three months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review (as described below). This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review.

·

Minimum Foreign Room Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For a security that is subject to a foreign ownership limit to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the proportion of shares still available to foreign investors relative to the maximum allowed (referred to as “foreign room”) must be at least 15%.

Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market. Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size−based indices:

·

Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);

·

Standard Index (Large + Mid);

·

Large Cap Index;

·

Mid Cap Index; or

·

Small Cap Index.

Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:

·

defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;

·

determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;

·

determining the market size segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;

·

assigning companies to the size segments; and

·

applying final size−segment investability requirements.

Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices. In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five

 

constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.

Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment. All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth methodology.

Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with S&P Dow Jones Indexes, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one sub−industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.

Index Maintenance

The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, index stability and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:

(i)

Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:

·

updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;

·

taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and

·

updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).

·

including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;

·

allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and

·

reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.

None of us, the dealer or any of our other affiliates accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in, the index or any successor to the index.

 

Historical Information for the iShares^® MSCI EAFE ETF (“EFA”)

The graph below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the EFA. In addition, below the graph is a table setting forth the intra-day high, intra-day low and period-end closing share prices of the EFA. The information provided in this table is for the four calendar quarters of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, the first three quarters of 2017 and for the period from October 1, 2017 through October 27, 2017.

We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the EFA in the chart below from Bloomberg Financial Markets.

We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets. The historical performance of the Reference Asset should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Final Level of the Reference Asset. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Asset will result in any positive return on your initial investment.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

 

Historical Information for the iShares^® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (“EEM”)

The graph below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the EEM. In addition, below the graph is a table setting forth the intra-day high, intra-day low and period-end closing share prices of the EEM. The information provided in this table is for the four calendar quarters of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, the first three quarters of 2017 and for the period from October 1, 2017 through October 27, 2017.

We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the EEM in the chart below from Bloomberg Financial Markets.

We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets. The historical performance of the Reference Asset should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Final Level of the Reference Asset. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Asset will result in any positive return on your initial investment.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

 

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 January 11, 2016 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 an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2019. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Reference Assets or the Notes, 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 the Reference Assets 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.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

Delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on October 31, 2017, which is the second (2^nd) business day following the Pricing Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”). See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus dated January 8, 2016. 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 January 8, 2016.

In the initial offering of the Notes, they were 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.

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 12 months after the issue date of the Notes, the value of the Notes that may be shown on your account statement may be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the Notes at that time. This is because the estimated value of the Notes will not include the underwriting discount and our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the Notes shown on your account statement during that period may 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.

 

STRUCTURING THE NOTES

The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Assets. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our structured notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these Notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. Using this relatively lower implied borrowing rate rather than the secondary market rate, is a factor that reduced the initial estimated value of the Notes at the time their terms were set. Unlike the estimated value included in this pricing supplement, any value of the Notes determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a different funding rate, which may result in a lower value for the Notes than if our initial internal funding rate were used.

In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) on the issue date with RBCCM or one of our other subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Reference Assets, and the tenor of the Notes. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

The lower implied borrowing rate is a factor that reduced the economic terms of the Notes to you. The initial offering price of the Notes also reflects the underwriting commission and our estimated hedging costs. These factors resulted in the initial estimated value for the Notes on the Pricing Date being less than their public offering price. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is Less than the Price to the Public” above.

 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

In the opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, the issue and sale of the Notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank in conformity with the Indenture, and when the Notes have been duly executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, the Notes will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the Notes is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario or Québec, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, and will be valid obligations of the Bank, subject to equitable remedies which may only be granted at the discretion of a court of competent authority, subject to applicable bankruptcy, to rights to indemnity and contribution under the Notes or the Indenture which may be limited by applicable law; to insolvency and other laws of general application affecting creditors’ rights, to limitations under applicable limitations statutes, and to limitations as to the currency in which judgments in Canada may be rendered, as prescribed by the Currency Act (Canada).  This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and Québec and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated January 8, 2016, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.1 to Royal Bank’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC dated January 8, 2016.

In the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, when the Notes have been duly completed in accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the prospectus supplement and the prospectus, the Notes will be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Royal Bank, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith).  This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York.  This opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and to such counsel’s reliance on the Bank and other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the legal opinion dated January 8, 2016, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Bank’s Form 6-K dated January 8, 2016.

 

 

P-19	RBC Capital Markets, LLC