FWP 1 ef20016180_fwp.htm US536 ACWI 08JAN29 78017F4U4

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-259205




The information in this preliminary terms supplement is not complete and may be changed.
 

Preliminary Terms Supplement
Subject to Completion:
Dated December 6, 2023
Pricing Supplement Dated December __, 2023 to the Prospectus dated September 14, 2021, the Prospectus Supplement dated September 14, 2021, and the Product Prospectus Supplement dated March 3, 2022
$
Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF,
Due January 11, 2029
Royal Bank of Canada




Royal Bank of Canada is offering Barrier Enhanced Return Notes (the “Notes”) linked to the performance of the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF (the “Reference Asset”).
Reference Asset
  
Initial Price*
  
Barrier Price
iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF (“ACWI”)
  
 
70.00% of its Initial Price
*The Initial Price will be the closing price of the Reference Asset on the Trade Date.

 •
If the Final Price of the Reference Asset is greater than the Initial Price, the Notes will pay at maturity a return equal to 166.30% of the Percentage Change, subject to a Maximum Redemption Amount of 175.00% of the principal amount of the Notes.

•
If the Final Price is less than or equal to the Initial Price, but greater than or equal to the Barrier Price, the Notes will pay the principal amount at maturity.

•
If the Final Price is less than the Barrier Price, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Price has decreased from the Initial Price.

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

•
The Notes do not pay interest.

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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Issue Date: December 13, 2023
Maturity Date: January 11, 2029
CUSIP: 78017F4U4
Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P-7 of this terms supplement, “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022, and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021.
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.
Per Note
  
Total
Price to public (1)
100.00%
  
$
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)
0.75%
  
$
Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada
99.25%
  
$
(1)  We or one of our affiliates may pay varying selling concessions of up to $7.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their underwriting discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts may be between $992.50 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" below.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the Trade Date is expected to be between $903.00 and $953.00 per $1,000 in principal amount, and will be 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. 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
 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
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.
Issuer:
Royal Bank of Canada (the “Bank”)
Underwriter:
RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”)
Reference Asset:
iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF (“ACWI”)
Minimum Investment:
$1,000 and minimum denominations of $1,000 in excess thereof
Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
December 8, 2023
Issue Date:
December 13, 2023
Valuation Date:
January 8, 2029
Maturity Date:
January 11, 2029, subject to extension for market and other disruptions, as described in the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022.
Payment at Maturity
(if held to maturity):
If the Final Price is greater than the Initial Price (that is, the Percentage Change is positive), then the investor will receive an amount per $1,000 principal amount per Note equal to the lesser of:
1.            Principal Amount + [Principal Amount x (Percentage Change × Participation Rate)] and
2.            the Maximum Redemption Amount
If the Final Price is less than or equal to the Initial Price, but is greater than or equal to the Barrier Price (that is, the Percentage Change is between 0% and -30.00%), then the investor will receive the principal amount only.
If the Final Price is less than the Barrier Price (that is, the Percentage Change is less than -30.00%), then the investor will receive a cash payment equal to:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount × Percentage Change)
In this case, you will lose some or all of the principal amount of the Notes.
Percentage Change:
The Percentage Change, expressed as a percentage, is calculated using the following formula:
Final Price - Initial Price
Initial Price
Initial Price:
The closing price of the Reference Asset on the Trade Date.
Final Price:
The closing price of the Reference Asset on the Valuation Date.
Participation Rate:
166.30% (subject to the Maximum Redemption Amount)
Barrier Percentage:
30%
Barrier Price:
70% of the Initial Price
Maximum
Redemption Amount:
175.00% multiplied by the principal amount, or $1,750.00 per $1,000 in principal amount

P-2
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
Principal at Risk:
The Notes are NOT principal protected. You may lose all or a substantial portion of your principal amount at maturity if the Final Price is less than the Barrier Price.
Calculation Agent:
RBCCM
U.S. Tax Treatment:
By purchasing a Note, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the Notes as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the section below, “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” and the discussion (including the opinion of Ashurst LLP, our special U.S. tax counsel) in the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” which apply to the Notes.
Secondary Market:
RBCCM (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the issue date. The amount that you may receive upon sale of your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount of your Notes.
Listing:
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Clearance and
Settlement:
DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as described under “Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the prospectus dated September 14, 2021).
Terms Incorporated
in the Master Note:
All of the terms appearing on the cover page and above the item captioned “Secondary Market” in this section, and the terms appearing under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement, as modified by this terms supplement.
The Trade Date, issue date and other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes.

P-3
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this terms supplement together with the prospectus dated September 14, 2021, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021 and the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I, 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 14, 2021 and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022, 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 14, 2021:
Prospectus Supplement dated September 14, 2021:
Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-ETF-1 dated March 3, 2022:

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.

P-4
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
HYPOTHETICAL RETURNS
The examples set out below are included for illustration purposes only. The hypothetical Percentage Changes of the Reference Asset used to illustrate the calculation of the Payment at Maturity (rounded to two decimal places) are not estimates or forecasts of the Initial Price, the Final Price or the price of the Reference Asset on any trading day prior to the Maturity Date. All examples are based on the Barrier Percentage of 30% (the Barrier Price of 70% of the Initial Price), the Participation Rate of 166.30%, the Maximum Redemption Amount of 175.00% of the principal amount, and assume that a holder purchased Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1,000 and that no market disruption event occurs on the Valuation Date.
Example 1 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change is positive.

Percentage Change:
  
2%

Payment at Maturity:
  
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (2% x 166.30%)] = $1,000 + $33.26 = $1,033.26

On a $1,000 investment, a Percentage Change of 2% results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,033.26, a return of 3.326% on the Notes.

Example 2 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change is positive (and the Payment at Maturity is subject to the Maximum Redemption Amount).

Percentage Change:
  
80%

Payment at Maturity:
 
  
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (80% x 166.30%)] = $1,000 + $1,330.40 = $2,330.40
However, the Maximum Redemption Amount is $1,750.00. Accordingly, you will receive a payment at maturity equal to $1,750.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes.

On a $1,000 investment, a Percentage Change of 80% results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,750.00, a return of 75.00% on the Notes.

Example 3 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change is negative (but not by more than the Barrier Percentage).
 
Percentage Change:
  
-8%
 
Payment at Maturity:
  
At maturity, if the Percentage Change is negative BUT not by more than the Barrier Percentage, then the Payment at Maturity will equal the principal amount.

On a $1,000 investment, a Percentage Change of -8% results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,000, a return of 0% on the Notes.

Example 4 —
Calculation of the Payment at Maturity where the Percentage Change is negative (by more than the Barrier Percentage).

Percentage Change:
  
-35%
 
Payment at Maturity:
  
$1,000 + ($1,000 x -35%) = $1,000 - $350 = $650
 
On a $1,000 investment, a Percentage Change of -35% results in a Payment at Maturity of $650, a return of -35% on the Notes.

P-5
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
The table set forth below is included for illustration purposes only. The table illustrates the hypothetical payments at maturity for a hypothetical range of performance for the Reference Asset, based on the Barrier Percentage of 30% (the Barrier Price is 70% of the Initial Price), the Participation Rate of 166.30% and the Maximum Redemption Amount of 175.00% of the principal amount.
Hypothetical Percentage Changes are shown in the first column on the left. The second column shows the corresponding Redemption Amount for these Percentage Changes, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes. The third column shows the Redemption Amount to be paid on the Notes per $1,000 in principal amount.
Hypothetical Percentage
Change
Redemption Amount as
Percentage of Principal Amount
Redemption Amount
per $1,000 in Principal
Amount
50.00%
175.000%
$1,750.00
45.10%
175.000%
$1,750.00
40.00%
166.520%
$1,665.20
30.00%
149.890%
$1,498.90
20.00%
133.260%
$1,332.60
10.00%
116.630%
$1,166.30
5.00%
108.315%
$1,083.15
2.00%
103.326%
$1,033.26
0.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-5.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-10.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-15.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-20.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-30.00%
100.000%
$1,000.00
-30.01%
69.990%
$699.90
-35.00%
65.000%
$650.00
-40.00%
60.000%
$600.00
-50.00%
50.000%
$500.00
-60.00%
40.000%
$400.00
-70.00%
30.000%
$300.00
-80.00%
20.000%
$200.00
-90.00%
10.000%
$100.00
-100.00%
0.000%
$0.00

P-6
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Asset. 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:
Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Notes

 •
You May Lose All or a Portion of the Principal Amount at Maturity — Investors in the Notes could lose all or a substantial portion of their principal amount if there is a decline in the price of the Reference Asset. If the Final Price is less than the Barrier Price, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for each 1% that the Final Price is less than the Initial Price.

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

•
Your Potential Payment at Maturity Is Limited — The Notes will provide less opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the Reference Asset than an investment in a security linked to the Reference Asset providing full participation in the appreciation, because the payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount. Accordingly, even if your return is positive, your return on the Notes may be less than your return would be if you made an investment in a security directly linked to the positive performance of the Reference Asset.

•
Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning Shares of the Reference Asset — The return on the Notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Reference Asset. For instance, as a holder of the Notes, you will not have voting rights, rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions, or any other rights that holders of shares of the Reference Asset would have. Further, because the payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount, your return on the Notes may be less than your return would be if you made an investment in a security directly linked to the positive performance of the Reference Asset.

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

•
You Will Not Have Any Rights to the Reference Asset or the Securities Held By the Reference Asset — As a holder of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of the Reference Asset or the securities held by the Reference Asset would have. The Final Price will not reflect any dividends paid on the securities held by the Reference Asset, and accordingly, any positive return on the Notes may be less than the potential positive return on those securities.

•
Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Postponement Due to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments— The payment at maturity and the Valuation Date are subject to adjustment as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see "General Terms of the Notes-Market Disruption Events" in the product prospectus supplement.
Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Notes

 •
There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes—Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses — There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on

P-7
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
any securities exchange. RBCCM and our other affiliates may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do so. RBCCM or any of our other affiliates may stop any market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the Notes develops, it may not provide significant liquidity or trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect that transaction costs in any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and asked prices for your Notes in any secondary market could be substantial.
Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Notes

 •
The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value of the Notes that will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement for the Notes will 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 price of the Reference Asset, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the underwriting discount and the estimated costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the underwriting discount or the hedging costs relating to the Notes. In addition to bid-ask spreads, the value of the Notes determined for any secondary market price is expected to be based on the secondary rate rather than the internal funding rate used to price the Notes and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary price will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity.

•
The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes that We Will Provide in the Final Pricing Supplement Will Be an Estimate 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 estimate will be based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.
The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest and Our Trading Activities

 •
Our Business Activities and Those of Our Affiliates May Create Conflicts of Interest — We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Asset 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 price of the Reference Asset, 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 Reference Asset Issuer, 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 Asset. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide

P-8
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
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 Asset, and, therefore, the market value of the Notes.
Risks Relating to the Reference Asset

 •
An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Relating to Non-U.S. Securities Markets — Because all of the securities held by the Reference Asset are issued by non-U.S. issuers and/or are publicly traded in foreign countries and denominated in non-U.S. currencies, an investment in the Notes involves particular risks. For example, the relevant non-U.S. securities markets may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect these markets differently from the U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the securities markets outside the U.S., as well as cross-shareholdings in certain companies, may affect trading prices and trading volumes in those markets. Also, the public availability of information concerning the foreign issuers may vary depending on their home jurisdiction and the reporting requirements imposed by their respective regulators. In addition, the foreign issuers may be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.

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An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated with Emerging Markets — Investments in securities linked directly or indirectly to emerging market equity securities, such as the securities held by the Reference Asset, 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 susceptible, before making a decision to invest in the Notes.

•
Notes Linked to the Reference Asset Are Subject to Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk — The payment amount on the Notes will be calculated based on the Reference Asset. The share price of the Reference Asset will fluctuate based in large part upon its respective 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 the 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 the Reference Asset will be adversely affected and the price of the Reference Asset, and consequently, the market value of the Notes may decrease.

•
The Reference Asset and its Underlying Index Are Different — The performance of the Reference Asset may not exactly replicate the performance of its underlying index, because the 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 the 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 the Reference Asset, or due to other circumstances. The 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.

P-9
RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
During periods of market volatility, securities held by the Reference Asset may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of the Reference Asset and the liquidity of the 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 the Reference Asset. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the Reference Asset. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of the Reference Asset may vary substantially from its net asset value per share. For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the Reference Asset may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as its net asset value per share, which could materially and adversely affect the value of the Notes in the secondary market and/or reduce the payments on the Notes.

 •
Adjustments to the Reference Asset Could Adversely Affect the Notes — The Advisor of the Reference Asset 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.

•
Changes that Affect the Underlying Index Will Affect the Market Value of the Notes and the Amount You Will Receive at Maturity — The policies of the sponsor of the underlying index (the “Index Sponsor”), concerning the calculation of the underlying index, additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the underlying index and the manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the underlying index and, therefore, could affect the share price of the Reference Asset, the amount payable on the Notes at maturity, and the market value of the Notes prior to maturity. The amounts payable on the Notes and their market value could also be affected if the Index Sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the underlying index, or if the sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the underlying index.

•
We Have No Affiliation with the Index Sponsor and Will Not Be Responsible for Any Actions Taken by the Index Sponsor — The Index Sponsor 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 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 Asset. 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 Asset 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 Asset contained in any public disclosure of information. You, as an investor in the Notes, should make your own investigation into the Reference Asset.

•
The Payment at Maturity Is Subject to Anti-dilution Adjustments — For certain corporate or organizational events affecting the Reference Asset, the calculation agent may make adjustments to the terms of the Notes. However, the calculation agent will not make such adjustments in response to all events that could affect the Reference Asset. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make such adjustments, the value of the Notes may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, all determinations and calculations concerning any such adjustments will be made in the sole discretion of the calculation agent, which will be binding on you absent manifest error. You should be aware that the calculation agent may make any such adjustment, determination or calculation in a manner that differs from that discussed in this document or the product prospectus supplement as necessary to achieve an equitable result.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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•
The Payment at Maturity Is Subject to Postponement Due to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments — The Payment at Maturity and the Valuation Date are subject to postponement 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.

•
The Reference Asset Is Subject to Management Risks — The Reference Asset is 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 Asset’s assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which BlackRock believes will help the Reference Asset track the relevant industry or sector.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest and Our Trading Activities

 •
Our Business Activities May Create Conflicts of Interest — We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Asset or the securities held by the Reference Asset 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 Asset, 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 Asset, 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 Asset. 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 Asset, and, therefore, the market value of the Notes.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSET
Information filed with the SEC relating to the Reference Asset under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, can be obtained through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding the Reference Asset may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We have not participated in the preparation of, or verified, such publicly available information. None of the forgoing documents or filings are incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document.
The following information regarding the Reference Asset is derived from publicly available information.
We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of reports filed by the Reference Asset with the SEC, information published by it on its website or in any other format, information about it obtained from any other source or the information provided below.
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 market price of the Reference Asset at any time during the term of the Notes. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Asset will not result in the loss of all or part of your investment.
iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
iShares® Funds
iShares® consists of numerous separate investment portfolios (the “iShares® Funds”), including the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF (the "ACWI"). The ACWI seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI ACWI Index (the "Underlying Index"). The ACWI typically earns income from dividends from securities that it holds. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to its shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the ACWI realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to its shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the Notes are linked only to the share price of the ACWI, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the ACWI 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 Stocks or any of the iShares® Funds.
The ACWI
The ACWI is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol "ACWI." The investment adviser is BlackRock Fund Advisors (the "Advisor"). The Advisor employs representative sampling to track the Underlying Index. The ACWI generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the Underlying Index (i.e., depositary receipts representing securities of the Underlying Index) and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which the Advisor believes will help the ACWI track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for purposes of calculating investments not included in the Underlying Index. The ACWI seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before the fees and expenses of the ACWI.
The MSCI ACWI Index
The Underlying Index is intended to measure equity market performance across, as of October 31, 2023, 23 developed markets (including the United States and Canada) and 24 emerging markets. The Underlying Index consisted of 2,948

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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components as of October 31, 2023. As of that date, the Underlying Index constituted securities from the following countries in these percentages: United States (62.64%), Japan (5.48%), United Kingdom (3.67%), China (3.17%) and France (2.90%), with other countries constituting 22.14% of the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index is sponsored by MSCI Inc. ("MSCI" or the "Index Sponsor"), which is independent of the ACWI and the Advisor. The Index Sponsor determines the composition and relative weightings of the component securities of the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.
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 ("DM," "EM," and "FM," respectively).
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:

 •
defining the equity universe;

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determining the market investable equity universe for each market;

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defining market capitalization size segments for each market;

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applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;

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

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classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:

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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 and certain income trusts in Canada, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and business trusts, which are listed in the U.S. and are not structured to be taxed as limited partnerships, are likewise eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Conversely, mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives, and most investment trusts, are not eligible for inclusion, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Conversely, mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives, and most investment trusts, are not. Preferred shares that exhibit characteristics of equity securities are analyzed for eligibility by MSCI on a case by case basis. Stapled securities are considered eligible if each of the underlying components exhibit characteristics of equity securities.

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Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) is classified in only one country. All securities in the Equity Universe classified into a Developed Market make up the DM Equity Universe, while all securities in the Equity Universe classified into an Emerging Market make up the EM Equity Universe. Additionally, all securities in the Equity Universe classified into a Frontier Market make up the FM Equity Universe.
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes. A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by identifying eligible listings for each security in the equity universe and 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 global investable equity universe is the aggregation of all market investable equity universes. The DM investable equity universe is the aggregation of all the market investable equity universes for developed markets.
A security may be listed in the country where it is classified (i.e. local listing) and/or in a different country (i.e. “foreign listing”). Securities may be represented by either a local or foreign listing. A security may be represented by a foreign listing only if:

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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•
The security is classified in a country that meets the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement, and

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The security’s foreign listing is traded on an eligible stock exchange of: a DM country if the security is classified in a DM country; a DM or an EM country if the security is classified in an EM country; or a DM or an EM or a FM country if the security is classified in a FM country.
If a country does not meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement set forth in the index methodology, then securities in that country may not be represented by a foreign listing in the global investable equity universe.
The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:

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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. This minimum full market capitalization is referred to as the Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement. The Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement applies to all companies in all markets, Developed and Emerging, and is derived as follows: first, the companies in the DM Equity Universe are sorted in descending order of full market capitalization and the cumulative coverage of free float-adjusted market capitalization of the DM Equity Universe is calculated at each company; second, when the free float-adjusted market capitalization coverage of 99% of the sorted Equity Universe is achieved, the full market capitalization of the company at that point defines the Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement. The rank of each company by descending order of full market capitalization within the DM Equity Universe is noted, and will be used in determining the Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement at the next rebalance.

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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.

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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 mitigates the impact of extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float-adjusted market capitalization of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading, are used to select securities with a sound long and short-term 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 is required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a Developed Market, 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 is required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an Emerging Market. Certain securities in the MSCI China Equity Universe are not eligible for inclusion in the market investable equity universe unless they meet additional requirements as described further in the index methodology Only one listing per security may be included in the market investable equity universe and priority rules described in the index methodology will be applied in instances when a security has two or more eligible listings that meet the above liquidity requirements. A stock-price limit of $10,000 has been set, thus securities with stock prices above $10,000 fail the liquidity screening. The stock-price limit applies only for non-constituents of the MSCI Global Investable Markets Indexes and does not apply to constituents of the MSCI Global Investable Market Indexes if the stock price surpasses the $10,000 threshhold.

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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. MSCI may make exceptions to this general rule in the limited cases where the exclusion of securities of a very large company would compromise the Standard Index's ability to fully and fairly represent the characteristics of the underlying market.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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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 an 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 an index review.

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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%. The index methodology applies an adjustment to securities within the market investable equity universe that have foreign room less than 25%.

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Financial Reporting Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level.
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:

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Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);

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Standard Index (Large + Mid);

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Large Cap Index;

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Mid Cap Index; or

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Small Cap Index.
MSCI sets a minimum size cutoff for each size-segment in each market using a size range for all markets derived from a free float-adjusted target market capitalization of the global investable equity universe, together with a target free float-adjusted coverage range set within each individual market investable universe. The intersection of these ranges specifies a size and coverage target area. This is done for each of the three size-segment indexes, namely the Investable Market Index, the Standard Index, and the Large Cap Indexes.
Creating the size segment indexes in each market involves the following steps:

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defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;

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determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;

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

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assigning companies to the size segments; and

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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, 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.
Calculation Methodology for the MSCI Indices

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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The performance of each MSCI index is a free float weighted average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.
Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries forward the previous day’s price (or latest available closing price). In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation unless MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00 P.M. London time.
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;

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

•
updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
(ii)
Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”) in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:

•
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.
(iii)
Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.
Neither we nor RBC Capital Markets, LLC accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in, the MSCI Indices, or any successor to these indices.
License Agreement
We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with MSCI providing for the license to us and certain of our affiliated or subsidiary companies, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by MSCI (including the MXEA) in connection with certain securities, including the Notes offered hereby.
The license agreement between us and MSCI requires that the following language be stated in this document:
THE NOTES ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC. (“MSCI”), ANY AFFILIATE OF MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX. THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AND ITS AFFILIATES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF THE NOTES OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FINANCIAL SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE NOTES PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


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MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THE NOTES OR THE ISSUER OR OWNER OF THE NOTES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUERS OR OWNERS OF THE NOTES INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NEITHER MSCI, ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THE NOTES TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH THE NOTES ARE REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, THE MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE OWNERS OF THE NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THE NOTES.
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE’S CUSTOMERS OR COUNTERPARTIES, ISSUERS OF THE NOTES, OWNERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO ANY MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
No purchaser, seller or holder of the Notes, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trade mark or service mark rights to sponsor, endorse, market or promote the Notes without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
Historical Information
The graph below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the Reference Asset from January 1, 2013 to December 4, 2023. We obtained the information in the graph from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent investigation.

iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF (“ACWI”)

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following disclosure supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2022 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference, directly or indirectly, an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2025. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Reference Asset or the Notes (for example, upon the 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 Asset or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
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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 13, 2023, which is the third (3rd) business day following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus dated September 14, 2021. 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 14, 2021.
We expect to deliver the Notes on a date that is greater than two business days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than two business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
In the initial offering of the Notes, they will be offered to investors at a purchase price equal to par, except with respect to certain accounts as indicated on the cover page of this document. In addition to the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this document, we or one of our affiliates may also pay an expected fee to a broker-dealer that is unaffiliated with us for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering.
The value of the Notes shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the Notes if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the Notes (which it is not obligated to do). That estimate will be based upon the price that RBCCM may pay for the Notes in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For a period of approximately 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 or our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the Notes shown on your account statement during that period may initially be a higher amount, reflecting the addition of RBCCM's underwriting discount and our estimated costs and profits from hedging the Notes. This excess is expected to decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your Notes, it expects to do so at prices that reflect their estimated value.
We may use this terms supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, RBCCM or another of our affiliates may use this terms 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 terms supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.

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RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 


Barrier Enhanced Return Notes
Linked to the iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF
STRUCTURING THE NOTES
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Asset. 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 that will be included 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 Asset, 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 reduces the economic terms of the Notes to you. The initial offering price of the Notes also reflects the underwriting discount and our estimated hedging costs. These factors 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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RBC Capital Markets, LLC