●Economic and Other Conditions Generally. The general economic conditions of the capital markets in the United States, as well as geopolitical conditions and other financial, political, public health, regulatory and judicial events, natural disasters, acts of terrorism or war, and related uncertainties that affect stock or commodity markets generally, may adversely affect the value of the Market Measure and the market value of ARNs. If an Underlying Stock is an ADR, the value of, and any amount payable on, your ARNs may also be adversely affected by similar events in the markets of the relevant foreign country.
●Interest Rates. We expect that changes in interest rates will affect the market value of ARNs. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase, we expect that the market value of ARNs will decrease. In general, we expect that the longer the amount of time that remains until maturity, the more significant the impact of these changes will be on the value of the ARNs. The level of interest rates also may affect the U.S. economy and any applicable market outside of the U.S., and, in turn, the value of the Market Measure, and, thus, the market value of the ARNs may be adversely affected. If an Underlying Stock is an ADR, the level of interest rates in the relevant foreign country may affect the economy of that foreign country and, in turn, the price of the ADR, and, thus, the market value of the ARNs may be adversely affected.
●Dividend Yields. In general, if the cumulative dividend yield on any Underlying Stock increases, we anticipate that the market value of the ARNs will decrease.
●Our Financial Condition and Creditworthiness. Our perceived creditworthiness, including any increases in our credit spreads and any actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings, may adversely affect the market value of the ARNs. In general, we expect the longer the amount of time that remains until maturity, the more significant the impact will be on the value of the ARNs. However, a decrease in our credit spreads or an improvement in our credit ratings will not necessarily increase the market value of the ARNs.
●Time to Maturity. There may be a disparity between the market value of the ARNs prior to maturity and their value at maturity. This disparity is often called a time “value,” “premium,” or “discount,” and reflects expectations concerning the value of the Market Measure prior to the maturity date. As the time to maturity decreases, this disparity may decrease, such that the value of the ARNs will approach the expected Redemption Amount to be paid at maturity.
Conflict-Related Risks
Trading and hedging activities by us, the agents, and our or their respective affiliates may affect your return on the ARNs and their market value. We, the agents, and our or their respective affiliates may buy or sell shares of an Underlying Stock, futures or options contracts or exchange-traded instruments on an Underlying Stock, or other listed or over-the counter derivative instruments linked to an Underlying Stock. We, the agents, and our or their respective affiliates may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the ARNs. These transactions could adversely affect the price of an Underlying Stock in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in ARNs. On or before the applicable pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the agents, and our or their respective affiliates, or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the ARNs), may increase the price of an Underlying Stock. Consequently, the price of that Underlying Stock may decrease subsequent to the pricing date of an issue of the ARNs, which may adversely affect the market value of the ARNs.