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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-259205
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Pricing Supplement
Dated March 28, 2023
To the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1, the Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, Each Dated September
14, 2021
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$448,000
Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the Lesser
Performing of Two Equity Indices, Due May 2, 2024
Royal Bank of Canada
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Reference Assets
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Initial Level
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Buffer Level*
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S&P 500® Index ("SPX")
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3,971.27
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3,375.58, which is 85.00% of its Initial Level
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Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
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1,752.632
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1,489.737, which is 85.00% of its Initial Level
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If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset (as defined below) is greater than its Initial Level, the Notes will pay at maturity a return equal to the Percentage Change of that Reference
Asset, subject to a Maximum Redemption Amount of 109.75% of the principal amount of the Notes.
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If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than or equal to its Initial Level, but greater than or equal to its Buffer Level, then the investor will receive a one-for-one positive
return equal to the absolute value of the Percentage Change of that Reference Asset.
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If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level of 85% of the Initial Level, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Level has
decreased by more than 15% from the Initial Level.
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Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.
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The Notes do not pay interest.
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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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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$448,000
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Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
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2.10%
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$9,408
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Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada
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97.90%
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$438,592
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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General:
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This pricing supplement relates to an offering of Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices (the “Notes”).
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Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”)
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Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
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March 28, 2023
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Issue Date:
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March 31, 2023
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Valuation Date:
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April 29, 2024
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Maturity Date:
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May 2, 2024
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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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Initial Level:
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For each Reference Asset, its closing level on the Trade Date, as set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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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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Buffer Level:
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For each Reference Asset, 85.00% of its Initial Level, as set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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Buffer Percentage:
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15%
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Payment at Maturity (if
held to maturity):
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We will pay you at maturity an amount based on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset:
If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is greater than its Initial Level (that is, its Percentage Change is positive), then
the investor will receive, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes, an amount equal to the lesser of:
1. $1,000 +
($1,000 x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset); and
2. Maximum
Upside Return
If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than or equal to its Initial Level, but greater than or equal to its
Buffer Level (that is, its Percentage Change is between 0% and -15.00%), the investor will receive, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes, a one-for-one positive return equal to the absolute value of the Percentage
Change of that Reference Asset, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [-1 x ($1,000 x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset)]
In this case, you will receive a positive return on the Notes, even though the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is negative.
If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level (that is, its Percentage Change is less
than -15.00%), then the investor will receive, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset + Buffer Percentage)]
In this case, you may lose a substantial portion (up to 85%) of the principal amount.
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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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Maximum Upside
Return:
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109.75% multiplied by the principal amount.
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Lesser Performing
Reference Asset:
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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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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 special U.S. tax counsel, Ashurst LLP) in the product prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021 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 “Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance”
in the prospectus dated September 14, 2021).
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Terms Incorporated in
the Master Note:
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All of the terms appearing on the cover page and above the item captioned “Secondary Market” on pages P-2 and P-3 of this pricing supplement and the terms appearing under the
caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021, as modified by this pricing supplement.
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Hypothetical Initial Level (for each Reference Asset):
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1,000.00*
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Hypothetical Buffer Level (for each Reference Asset):
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850.00, which is 85.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level
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Maximum Upside Return:
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109.75% of the principal amount.
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per Note
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Hypothetical Final Level of the Lesser
Performing Reference Asset
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Redemption Amount as
Percentage of Principal Amount
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Redemption Amount
per $1,000 in Principal
Amount
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1,500.00
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109.75%
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$1,097.50
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1,200.00
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109.75%
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$1,097.50
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1,100.00
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109.75%
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$1,097.50
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1,097.50
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109.75%
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$1,097.50
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1,050.00
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105.00%
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$1,050.00
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1,040.00
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104.00%
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$1,040.00
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1,020.00
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102.00%
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$1,020.00
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1,000.00
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100.00%
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$1,000.00
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980.00
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102.00%
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$1,020.00
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900.00
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110.00%
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$1,100.00
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850.00
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115.00%
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$1,150.00
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849.00
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99.90%
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$999.00
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800.00
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95.00%
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$950.00
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700.00
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85.00%
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$850.00
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600.00
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75.00%
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$750.00
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500.00
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65.00%
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$650.00
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400.00
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55.00%
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$550.00
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300.00
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45.00%
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$450.00
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0.00
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15.00%
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$150.00
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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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.
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Percentage Change:
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2%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + ($1,000 x 2%) = $1,000 + $20.00 = $1,020.00
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In this case, on a $1,000 investment, a 2% Percentage Change in the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,020.00, a 2.00% 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 the Payment at Maturity is subject to the Maximum Upside Return).
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Percentage Change:
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20.00%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + ($1,000 x 20.00%) = $1,000 + $200.00 = $1,200.00
However, the Maximum Upside Return is $1,097.50
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On a $1,000 investment, a 20.00% Percentage Change for the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,097.50, a 9.75% 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 its Final Level is greater than its Buffer Level.
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Percentage Change:
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-10%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + [-1 x ($1,000 x -10%)] = $1,000 + $100 = $1,100.00
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In this case, on a $1,000 investment, a -10% Percentage Change in the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $1,100, a 10% return on the Notes.
In this case, even though the Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is negative, you will receive a positive return equal to the absolute value of the Percentage Change.
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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, and its Final Level is less than its Buffer Level.
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Percentage Change:
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-50%
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Payment at Maturity:
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$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change + Buffer Percentage)]
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-50% + 15%)]
$1,000 + [$1,000 x -35%] = $1,000 - $350 = $650
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In this case, on a $1,000 investment, a -50% Percentage Change in the Lesser Performing Reference Asset results in a Payment at Maturity of $650, a -35% return on the Notes.
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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You May Lose Some or a Substantial Portion of the Principal Amount at Maturity – Investors in the Notes could lose a substantial portion of their principal amount if
there is a decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset between the Trade Date and the Valuation Date of more than 15%. In such a case, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for each 1% that the Final
Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level.
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Your Potential Payment at Maturity Is Limited — The Notes will provide less opportunity to participate in the appreciation of any of the Reference Assets than an
investment in a security linked to that Reference Asset providing full participation in the appreciation, because the payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Upside Return if the Lesser Performing Reference Asset increases in
value. Accordingly, 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 Lesser Performing Reference Asset. In addition, if the Lesser
Performing Reference Asset decreases, but does not decrease below its Buffer Level, the maximum payment at maturity on the Notes will be 115% of the principal amount.
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Your Redemption Amount Will Be Determined Solely by Reference to the Lesser Performing Reference Asset Even if the Other Reference Asset Performs Better – Your
Redemption Amount will be determined solely by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset. Even if the Final Level of the other Reference Asset has increased compared to its Initial Level, or has experienced a
decrease that is less than that of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Asset, regardless of the performance of the other Reference
Asset. The Notes 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 component, 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 Reference Asset. 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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The Notes Do Not Pay Interest and Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of Comparable Maturity – You will not receive any interest
payments on the Notes as there would be on a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security having the same maturity. The return that you will receive on the Notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could
earn on other investments. Even if your return is positive, the return may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased one of our conventional senior interest bearing debt securities.
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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 our senior
unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of the Redemption Amount is dependent upon our ability to repay our 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
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value that is set forth
on the cover page of this pricing supplement does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to
sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the 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 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 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 that Is Set Forth on the Cover Page of this Pricing Supplement Is an Estimate Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the Notes
Were Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes is based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the Notes, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the Notes. See
“Structuring the Notes” below. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based
on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.
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Our Business Activities May Create Conflicts of Interest — We and our affiliates expect to engage in trading activities related to the Reference Assets that are not
for the account of holders of the Notes or on their behalf. These trading activities may present a conflict between the holders’ interests in the Notes and the interests we and our affiliates will have in their proprietary accounts, in
facilitating transactions, including options and other derivatives transactions, for their customers and in accounts under their management. These trading activities, if they influence the levels of the Reference Assets, could be
adverse to the interests of the holders of the Notes. We and one or more of our affiliates may, at present or in the future, engage in business with companies included in the Reference Assets, including making loans to or providing
advisory services. These services could include investment banking and merger and acquisition advisory services. These activities may present a conflict between our or one or more of our affiliates’ obligations and your interests as a
holder of the Notes. Moreover, we, and our affiliates may have published, and in the future expect to publish, research reports with respect to the Reference Assets. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may
express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes. Any of these activities by us or one or more of our affiliates may affect the levels of the Reference Assets, and therefore, the
market value of the Notes.
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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You Will Not Have Any Rights to the Securities Included in the Reference Assets – 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 securities included in the Reference Asset would have. The Final Level will not reflect any dividends
paid on the securities included in the Reference Asset, and accordingly, any positive return on the Notes may be less than the potential positive return on those securities.
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The Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Postponement Due to 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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An Investment in the Notes Linked to the RTY 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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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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Buffer Absolute Return Notes Linked to the
Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices
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