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RBC Capital Markets® |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-227001
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The information in this preliminary terms supplement is not complete and may be changed.
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Preliminary Terms Supplement
Subject to Completion:
Dated December 3, 2018
Pricing Supplement Dated December __, 2018 to the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1, Prospectus Supplement, and Prospectus Each Dated
September 7, 2018
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$
Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices, Due January 2, 2025
Royal Bank of Canada
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Royal Bank of Canada is offering Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser
performing of two equity indices (each, a “Reference Asset” and collectively, the “Reference Assets”). The Notes offered are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada and will have the terms described in the documents described above, as
supplemented or modified by this terms supplement.
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Reference Assets
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Initial Levels*
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Barrier Levels
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Dow Jones Industrial Average™ (“INDU”)
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70% of its Initial Level
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Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
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70% of its Initial Level
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* For each Reference Asset, the Initial Level will be its closing level on the Trade Date.
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-4 of the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning
on page P-6 of this terms 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. The Notes are not subject to
conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or
determined that this terms supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada
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Stock Exchange Listing:
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None
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Trade Date:
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December 27, 2018
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per Note
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Issue Date:
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December 31, 2018
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Maturity Date:
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January 2, 2025
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Valuation Date:
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December 27, 2024
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Booster Coupon
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[57 - 63]% (to be determined on the Trade Date)
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Initial Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Trade Date.
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Final Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
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Payment at Maturity:
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If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level but its Percentage Change does not exceed the
Booster Coupon of [57 - 63]% (to be determined on the Trade Date), the Notes provide a fixed return equal to the Principal Amount plus the Booster Coupon. If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Index is greater than its Initial Level
and its Percentage Change exceeds the Booster Coupon, the Notes provide a one-for-one positive return based upon the increase in the level of that Reference Asset. If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Index is less than its Barrier
Level (70.00% of its Initial Level), you will receive an amount at maturity that is proportionate to the decrease in that Reference Asset over the term of the Notes, and you may lose up to 100% of your initial investment.
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Lesser Performing
Index:
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The Reference Asset which has the lowest Percentage Change.
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Interest Payments:
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None.
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CUSIP:
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78013XTQ1
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Per Note
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Total
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Price to public(1)
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100.00%
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$
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Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
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3.25%
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$
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Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada
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96.75%
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$
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(1) Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their
underwriting discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts may be between $967.50 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the date of this terms supplement is $912.96 per $1,000 in principal amount, which is
less than the price to public. The final pricing supplement relating to the Notes will set forth our estimate of the initial value of the Notes as of the Trade Date, which will not be less than $892.96 per $1,000 in principal amount. 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.
If the Notes priced on the date of this terms supplement, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, which we refer to as RBCCM, acting as agent for Royal Bank of Canada,
would receive a commission of approximately $32.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes and would use a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers of up to approximately $32.50 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
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this terms supplement, the product prospectus
supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus.
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General:
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This terms supplement relates to an offering of Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
(the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of two equity indices (the “Reference Assets”).
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Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”)
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Issue:
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Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H
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Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
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December 27, 2018
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Issue Date:
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December 31, 2018
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Denominations:
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Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter.
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Designated Currency:
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U.S. Dollars
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Valuation Date:
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December 27, 2024
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Maturity Date:
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January 2, 2025
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Initial Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Trade Date.
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Final Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
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Barrier Level:
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For each Reference Asset, 70.00% of its Initial Level.
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Barrier Percentage:
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30%
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Booster Coupon:
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[57 - 63]%, to be determined on the Trade Date.
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Payment at Maturity:
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If, on the Valuation Date, the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is zero or positive, but does not exceed the Booster Coupon, then the
investor will receive an amount equal to the principal amount plus the Booster Coupon. If, on the Valuation Date, the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than the Booster Coupon, then the investor will
receive an amount equal to:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Percentage Change of Lesser Performing Asset)
If, on the Valuation Date, the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Asset is less than 0%, but has not decreased by more than the Barrier Percentage (that
is, the Percentage Change is between -0.01% and -30.00%), then the investor will receive the principal amount only.
If, on the Valuation Date, the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Asset is negative, and has decreased by more than the Barrier Percentage (that is, the
Percentage Change is between -30.01% and -100%), then the investor will receive a cash payment equal to:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Percentage Change of Lesser Performing Reference Asset)
In this case, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of the Notes.
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Percentage Change:
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With respect to each Reference Asset:
Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
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Lesser Performing
Index:
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The Reference Asset which has the lowest Percentage Change.
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Market Disruption
Events:
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If a market disruption event occurs on the Valuation Date as to a Reference Asset, the determination of the Final Level of that Reference
Asset will be postponed. However, the determination of the Final Level of any Reference Asset that is not affected by that market disruption event will not be postponed.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
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Calculation Agent:
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”)
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U.S. Tax Treatment:
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By purchasing a Note, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial
ruling to the contrary) to treat the Note as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract in respect of the Reference Assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the
Notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the section below, “Supplemental Discussion of U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences,” and the discussion (including the opinion of our counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP) in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences,” which apply to the Notes.
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Secondary Market:
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RBCCM (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the Issue
Date. The amount that you may receive upon sale of your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount.
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Listing:
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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Settlement:
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DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as described under “Description
of Debt Securities—Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018).
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Terms Incorporated in
the Master Note:
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All of the terms appearing above the item captioned “Secondary Market” on the cover page and pages P-2 and P-3 of this terms
supplement and the terms appearing under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, as modified by this terms supplement.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this terms supplement together with the prospectus dated September 7, 2018, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated
September 7, 2018 and the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H, of which these Notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this terms supplement will have
the meanings given to them in the product prospectus supplement. In the event of any conflict, this terms supplement will control. The Notes vary from the
terms described in the product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should read this terms supplement carefully.
This terms supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral
statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should
carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018,
as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. You may access these documents on the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
Prospectus Supplement dated September 7, 2018:
Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1 dated September 7, 2018:
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this terms supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Royal Bank of Canada.
Royal Bank of Canada has filed a registration statement (including a product prospectus supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the
offering to which this terms supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read those documents and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may
obtain these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Royal Bank of Canada, any agent or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the product prospectus supplement, the
prospectus supplement and the prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free at 1-877-688-2301.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES
The examples set out below are included for illustration purposes only. The hypothetical
Percentage Changes of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset used to illustrate the calculation of the Payment at Maturity (rounded to two decimal places) are not estimates or forecasts of its Initial Level, its Final Level or the level of
either Reference Asset on any trading day prior to the Maturity Date. All examples assume that a holder purchased Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1,000, the Barrier Percentage of 30.00% (the Barrier Level of each Reference Asset is
70.00% of its Initial Level), a Booster Coupon of 60% (the midpoint of the Booster Coupon range of 55% to 65%), and that no market disruption event occurs on the Valuation Date as to either Reference Asset.
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Example 1—
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Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is positive, but less than the
Booster Coupon.
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Percentage Change:
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10%, which is less than the Booster Coupon
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + ($1,000 x 60.00%) = $1,000 + $600.00 = $1,600.00
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On a $1,000 investment, a 10% Percentage Change for the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,600.00, a 60.00% return on the
Notes.
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Example 2—
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Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is positive and exceeds the
Booster Coupon.
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Percentage Change:
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85%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + ($1,000 x 85%) = $1,000 + $850 = $1,850
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On a $1,000 investment, a 85% Percentage Change in the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,850, an 85% return on the Notes.
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Example 3—
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Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is negative (but not by more than
the Barrier Percentage).
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Percentage Change:
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-10%
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Payment at Maturity:
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At maturity, if the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is negative BUT not by more than the Barrier Percentage, then
the Payment at Maturity will equal the principal amount.
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On a $1,000 investment, a -10% Percentage Change results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,000, a 0% return on the Notes.
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Example 4—
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Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is negative (by more than the
Barrier Percentage).
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Percentage Change:
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-35%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + ($1,000 x -35%) = $1,000 - $350.00 = $650.00
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On a $1,000 investment, a -35% Percentage Change in the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $650.00, a -35%
return on the Notes.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference 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:
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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 level of the Lesser Performing Index between the Trade 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 Index has declined if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Index is
less than its Barrier Level.
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Your Redemption Amount Will Be Determined Solely by Reference to the Lesser Performing Index Even if the Other
Reference Asset Performs Better — Your Redemption Amount will be determined solely by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Index. 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 Index, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Index, regardless of the performance of
the other Reference Asset. The Notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk may be mitigated and diversified among each of the basket components. For example, in the case of notes linked to a weighted basket, the return
would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. As a result, the depreciation of one basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of the other basket components, as
scaled by the weighting of that basket component. However, in the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each of the Reference Assets would not be combined, and the depreciation of one Reference Asset would not be mitigated by
any appreciation of the other Reference Asset. Instead your return will depend solely on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Index. Because each Reference Asset tracks a different segment of the U.S. equities market, they may both
decrease in a comparable manner.
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Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity — 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.
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Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk, and Changes in Our Credit Ratings Are Expected to Affect the
Market Value of the Notes — The Notes are 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 levels of the Reference Assets increase after the Trade Date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at the maturity of the Notes.
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There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes – Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses — There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM and 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.
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Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Securities Represented by the Reference Assets — The return on
your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the securities represented by the Reference Assets. For instance, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other
distributions on those securities during the term of your Notes. As an owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Reference Assets may have.
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The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated
value set forth on the cover page and that will be set forth in the final pricing supplement for the Notes does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any
secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things,
changes in the levels of the Reference Assets, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the 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
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
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.
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The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes on the Cover Page of this Terms Supplement and that We Will Provide in the
Final Pricing Supplement Are Estimates Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the Notes Are Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes will be 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 estimates are based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends,
interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a
price that is significantly different than we do.
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The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and
cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
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Inconsistent Research — Royal Bank or its affiliates may issue research reports on securities that are, or
may become, components of the Reference Assets. We may also publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the levels of the Reference Assets or the value of the Notes, or express opinions
or provide recommendations that may be inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes or with the investment view implicit in the Notes or the Reference Assets. You should make your own independent investigation of the merits of
investing in the Notes and the Reference Assets.
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An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated in Investing in Stocks With a Small Market Capitalization
— The RTY consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations. These companies often have greater stock price volatility,
lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies. As a result, the level of the RTY may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of
small-capitalization companies are also generally more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be
less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are often less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number
of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and
fewer competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
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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.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSETS
All disclosures contained in this terms supplement regarding the Reference Assets, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in
their components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by the applicable index sponsor. Each of these sponsors has no obligation to continue to publish, and may
discontinue publication of, the applicable Reference Asset. The consequences of an index sponsor discontinuing publication of a Reference Asset are discussed in the section of the product prospectus supplement entitled “General Terms of the Notes—
Unavailability of the Level of the Reference Asset.” Neither we nor RBCCM accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of either Reference Asset or any successor index.
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of each Reference Asset set forth below from Bloomberg Financial Markets.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
Dow Jones Industrial Average™ (“INDU”)
The INDU is a price-weighted index, which means an underlying stock’s weight in the INDU is based on its price per share rather than the total market
capitalization of the issuer. The INDU is designed to provide an indication of the composite performance of 30 common stocks of corporations representing a broad cross-section of U.S. industry. The corporations represented in the INDU tend to be
market leaders in their respective industries and their stocks are typically widely held by individuals and institutional investors.
The INDU is maintained by an Averages Committee comprised of the Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”), the head of Dow Jones Indexes research and the head of CME Group Inc. research. The Averages Committee was created in March 2010, when Dow Jones Indexes became part of CME Group Index Services,
LLC, a joint venture company owned 90% by CME Group Inc. and 10% by Dow Jones & Company. Generally, composition changes occur only after mergers, corporate acquisitions or other dramatic shifts in a component's core business. When such an event
necessitates that one component be replaced, the entire INDU is reviewed. As a result, when changes are made they typically involve more than one component. While there are no rules for component selection, a stock typically is added only if it has
an excellent reputation, demonstrates sustained growth, is of interest to a large number of investors and accurately represents the sector(s) covered by the average.
Changes in the composition of the INDU are made entirely by the Averages Committee without consultation with the corporations represented in the INDU,
any stock exchange, any official agency or us. Unlike most other indices, which are reconstituted according to a fixed review schedule, constituents of the INDU are reviewed on an as-needed basis. Changes to the common stocks included in the INDU
tend to be made infrequently, and the underlying stocks of the INDU may be changed at any time for any reason. The companies currently represented in the INDU are incorporated in the United States and its territories and their stocks are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
The INDU initially consisted of 12 common stocks and was first published in the WSJ in 1896. The INDU was increased to include 20 common stocks in 1916
and to 30 common stocks in 1928. The number of common stocks in the INDU has remained at 30 since 1928, and, in an effort to maintain continuity, the constituent corporations represented in the INDU have been changed on a relatively infrequent
basis.
Computation of the INDU
The level of the INDU is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 component stocks included in the INDU, divided by a divisor that is designed to provide a
meaningful continuity in the level of the INDU. Because the INDU is price-weighted, stock splits or changes in the component stocks could result in distortions in the index level. In order to prevent these distortions related to extrinsic factors,
the divisor is periodically changed in accordance with a mathematical formula that reflects adjusted proportions within the INDU. The current divisor of the INDU is published daily in the WSJ and other publications. In addition, other statistics
based on the INDU may be found in a variety of publicly available sources.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices
Royal Bank of Canada |
License Agreement
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered
trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “DJIA®” is a trademark of Dow Jones. The trademark has been sublicensed for certain purposes by
us. The INDU is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their
respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in
securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the INDU to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the INDU is the licensing of the INDU and certain trademarks,
service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The INDU is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the Notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no
obligation to take our needs or the needs of us or holders of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the INDU. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the
prices, and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the INDU will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC
and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be
investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the
Notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the INDU. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Notes.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDU OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P
DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDU OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY
BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
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Royal Bank of Canada |
Historical Information
The graph below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the INDU. The information provided in this graph is for the period
from January 1, 2008 through November 30, 2018.
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the INDU 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 INDU should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Final Level of the INDU. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the INDU will result in any positive
return on your initial investment.
Dow Jones Industrial Average™ (“INDU”)
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Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
The RTY was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which is wholly owned by
London Stock Exchange Group. Russell began dissemination of the RTY (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the RTY. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The
RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000®
Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without
regard to the Notes.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the RTY
All companies eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a
company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the
three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume)
(“ADDTV”) from all exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to
the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary country from which the company’s revenues are primarily derived
for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE
Russell will assign the company to the country of its headquarters, which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices, unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country, in which case the company will be
assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao,
Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries
such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their
primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be
considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Initial public offerings are added each quarter and must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on
the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing stock does not trade on the “rank day” (typically the last trading day in May but a confirmed timetable is announced each spring) but does have a
closing price at or above $1.00 on another eligible U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market
price as of the rank day in May for those securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership
interests are used to determine market capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts or trust receipts, are
excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined to determine total shares outstanding. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each
class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available
in the marketplace are not eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business
development companies), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded. Bulletin board, pink sheets, and
over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
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Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary
exchange on the rank day of May of each year, FTSE Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last
Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted
capitalization breaks established during the most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as
“free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
License Agreement
FTSE Russell and Royal Bank have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to Royal Bank, and certain of its
affiliates, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by FTSE Russell in connection with some securities, including the Notes.
FTSE Russell does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the RTY or any data included in the RTY and has no liability for any errors,
omissions, or interruptions in the RTY. FTSE Russell makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the calculation agent, holders of the Notes, or any other person or entity from the use of the RTY or any data included in
the RTY in connection with the rights licensed under the license agreement described in this document or for any other use. FTSE Russell makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the RTY or any data included in the RTY. Without limiting any of the above information, in no event will FTSE Russell have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages,
including lost profits, even if notified of the possibility of these damages.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the
owners of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the RTY to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE
Russell’s publication of the RTY in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the stocks upon which the RTY is based. FTSE Russell's only relationship to Royal Bank is the licensing
of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the RTY, which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to Royal Bank or the Notes. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Notes nor any
associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend,
terminate or in any way change the RTY. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes.
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are registered trademarks of FTSE Russell in the U.S. and other countries.
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
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Historical Information
The graph below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the RTY. The information provided in this graph is for the period
from January 1, 2008 through November 30, 2018.
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the RTY 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 RTY should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Final Level of the RTY. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the RTY will result in any positive return
on your initial investment.
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
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Barrier Booster Notes Linked to the Lesser
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Royal Bank of Canada |
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 September 7,
2018 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 Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury
Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2021. Based on our determination that the Notes are not
delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes
upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Reference Assets or the Notes (for example, upon a Reference Asset rebalancing), and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments.
Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of 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)
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about December 31, 2018, which is the second (2nd) business day
following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”). See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018. 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 September 7, 2018.
In the initial offering of the Notes, they will be offered to investors at a purchase price equal to par, except with respect to certain accounts as
indicated on the cover page of this document.
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.
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 is likely to reduce the initial estimated value of the Notes at the time their terms are set. Unlike the estimated value included in this terms supplement or in
the final 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.
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The lower implied borrowing rate is a factor that reduces 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 result in the initial estimated value for the Notes on the Trade Date being less than their public offering price. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes
Will Be Less than the Price to the Public” above.
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